Euthymius the Athonite

Monk, translator, abbot of Iviron

around 955–1028

Euthymius the Athonite (around 955–1028) was the son of John the Iberian and the nephew of Tornike Eristavi. As a child he was taken as a hostage to Constantinople, where he received a fine education and mastered Greek. His father secured his release, and together they took monastic vows at the lavra of Saint Athanasius on Mount Athos; later he lived at Iviron, founded by his father and uncle.

He became one of the finest theologians and scholars of Eastern Christianity in his age. For fourteen years Euthymius was abbot of Iviron, and then he stepped down to devote himself entirely to translation. He translated into Georgian theological, philosophical and legal works of the Greek Church Fathers, many of which had never before existed in Georgian, and worked on a translation of Holy Scripture. Later George the Hagiorite would continue and correct his work.

A special place among his works belongs to “The Wisdom of Balahvar”, a Christian tale going back to the life of the Buddha; through a Greek version that many scholars link to Euthymius, it became the famous medieval European story of Barlaam and Josaphat. Euthymius died near Constantinople: the mule he was riding took fright at a beggar and bolted, and the monk fell. His relics rest in the Church of Saint John the Baptist at Iviron, and the Church venerates him as a saint, his feast on 13 May in the old calendar.