CRISTOFORO CASTELLI ELENE ATABEG,-THE "QUEEN" OF PERSIA AND THE NUN CHRISTINE

Abstract

Don Cristoforo De Castelli, a member of the Theatine order, served in Georgia for 22 years (1632-1654). He left behind remarkably valuable written accounts, as well as a rich collection of artistic, graphic drawings and sketches, which continue to hold exceptional significance for the study of Georgian history and culture in the early 17th century.            

Cristoforo Castelli was profoundly moved by the challenging economic and social circumstances in Georgia, including the conversion of a significant portion of the Christian feudal aristocracy, under the pressure of the Muslim empires, to Islam—even if only formally. The forced conversion of captured or sold sons and daughters, along with other adverse events, left a deep impact on him. Catholic missionaries like Castelli saw it as their duty to save the souls of the population by converting Orthodox Georgians and Gregorian Armenians to Catholicism, and also to offer physical healing for various ailments. The letters and drawings of Cristoforo Castelli, published by Patricia Anna Licini, contain numerous examples of these efforts. From reading these letters, I infer that Castelli likely intended to use them as literary passages for a memoir or novel upon his return to Italy. However, due to illness, he could not fulfill this idea and passed away soon afterward.

        In his letters, he already identified three main characters of his work: Cristoforo Castelli himself, a devoted clergyman deeply in love with Georgia, for whom the salvation of Christianity in Georgia was of paramount importance.

           To convey the complex struggle between Christianity and Islam, Castelli created two contrasting female characters, drawing from real-life figures that he, as a keen observer, would have encountered in Georgia. One was Elene, the daughter of the Atabeg of Southern Georgia (Samtskhe), celebrated for her beauty. Originally converted to Catholicism by missionaries, Elene later embraced Islam when she rose to become the queen of Persia. Castelli juxtaposed her with the devout nun Christine, who embodies intense religious devotion and clearly mirrors Castelli's own fervor. In a pivotal moment, as the fictional Christine parts ways with the fictional Elene, Castelli steps out from behind Christine's figure, revealing that “Christine is the creation of Brother Cristoforo.” (`Suor Christina l’anima di fra Christoforo~).  

          Symbolically, the confrontation between Christine/Castelli and Elene was, for Cristoforo Castelli, a confrontation of the broad lower strata of the Georgian population against the renegade—against the betrayal of Christianity or the nation.

Key words: Cristoforo Castelli; Elene Atabeg; nun Christine; Persia; Levan II Dadiani.