Basheleishvili Liana Otarovna

This article is dedicated to the analysis of monastic exploit in ancient Georgian hagiographic literary monuments and, in particular, to dispensation of prayer by the example of Georgian saints. Article comments on different stages of prayer life: verbal prayer, pure prayer, spiritual prayer and prayerful contemplation. The path of mystic ascent of St. Shio Mgvimeli, Abo Tbileli, Grigol Handzteli, Ekvtime Atoneli and others is analyzed taking into account basic settings of hesychast teaching, unceasing prayer, noetic prayer, contemplation of uncreated light and fragrance, glory and theoria.

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.