Venerable George of Iveron

Life

Born in Iveria, or Georgia, in the year 1014, as a kinsman of the Georgian kings. He received a good classical education in childhood, but his heart drew him to the spiritual life. He struggled ascetically under the famous spiritual father George in the Black Mountain. He fled to the Holy Mountain and continued his ascetical struggle in the Monastery of Iveron. He became abbot of Iveron. With the help of Emperor Constantine Monomachus he restored Iveron and covered the church with lead. That lead roof stands to this day. He translated into the Georgian language the Holy Scriptures, the Prologue, and the liturgical books. King Bagrat summoned him to Georgia to teach the people. He was received royally in his homeland. Everywhere he went he taught the clergy and the people. In old age he desired to end his life on the Holy Mountain, and he set out for it, but death overtook him in Constantinople in the year 1067. His relics were transferred to Iveron. Although he died on May 24, the Iberians celebrate his memory on June 30, considering him equal to the Apostles.