ONE EXAMPLE OF GEORGE THE ATHONITE’S ORIGINAL WORKS

Abstract

George the Athonite's contribution to the Georgian Church and Georgian culture is mainly represented by numerous collections translated and edited by him. In these collections, along with Greek-language works translated by him, rarely, only in exceptional cases, he included hymns written by Georgian authors.

This work considers George the Athonite's original hymns which are dedicated to "Iodasaph the King of Indians". This is an entire hymnographic cycle – three hymns of small size and hymnographic canon. These hymns stand out for their artistic perfection and theological depth, as well as rare rhythmicity, which is also characteristic of George the Athonite's translations. These hymns often contain various testimonies from the Old and New Testaments, as well as evangelistic teachings discussed in the paper.

The hirmi of George the Athonite's hymnographic canon devoted to Iodasaph the Indian are included in the so-called "Irmologion with Neumes". In this collection, these hirmi are denoted by the term “utskhoni (“aliens”).

In these hymns George the Athonite compares Iodasaph the Indian to John the Baptist, the prophets David and Elijah.

The fact that in these hymns Iodasaph the Indian is compared to the apostles deserves special attention. He is considered to have joined the "apostolic community". Saint Paul is recognized as the thirteenth Apostle in church tradition. In this hymn, "Iodasaph the King of Indians" is mentioned with the same honour.

In the hymns dedicated to Iodasaph the Indian his "confessor", "divine man" - Balavari (Barlaam) is also glorified.

George the Athonite's hymns are also important for the study of the text and origin of Byzantine “Story of Barlaam and Ioasaph", which has long been the subject of great interest of researchers of different generations.

Key words:  Hymnography; George the Athonite; Menaion; Balavari; Iodasaph the Indian.