THE RITUAL OF "MAKING A MONK" IN EASTERN GEORGIA

Abstract

The rich and multifaceted material preserved in people's lives for centuries, collected with the appropriate method and studied with a critical approach, is a valuable source for clarifying the key issues of history, ethnography and linguistics.

          In the present work, based on the analysis of ethnographic materials and scientific literature, the custom of "monkization" in Eastern Georgia is studied.

Monk is a polysemantic word in Georgian. Monk - 1. Church person; 2. an old person; 3. New born baby. In Pshav, Khevsureti and Tusheti, the building where Elders lived was called Sabero.

Childless husband and wife, or those who had children, but died or were often sick, would say to the local church: "But save us a child and I will bring him to your door as a monk."

As a sign of ordination, children grew their hair, dressed in white robes and left for a certain period at the door of the church. A coin wrapped in a white cloth was hung on his arm, which he carried until it expired. Monks served the church. After the appointed time, the hair was cut and left in the church together with the white robe.

In the ethnographic materials recorded by Aleksandre Khakhanashvili in Tusheti, the term "Monks of the Year" is confirmed. "Monks of the year" were men who were relatives of the deceased, who wore beards as a sign of mourning.

The tradition of "making a monk" spread in Eastern Georgia has a Christian meaning, and its study and understanding in a new way is important in relation to modernity.

Key words: Eastern Georgia; monasticism; monks of the year; ethnographic materials; spiritual culture; traditions.