From a “Leading Brother” of Anachorites to a Leader of Monastery. Georgian Tradition

Abstract

This article analyses Epichristian forms of monastic philosophy (of selfless devotion) in ancient Georgian hagiographic literary monuments, in particular, in the cycle “The Lives of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers”, and in the writing of Georgian hagiographer Giorgi Merchule “The Vita of Grigol Khandzteli”. This paper depicts lay brothers (novice) of Tao Klardjeti desert town, who, while mastering the experience of mountain seclusion of Syrian anchorites, pursued an occupation in the cells. This article traces gradual transformation of the status of “leading brother” of Anchorites into leader of monastery.