John the Iberian
John the Iberian[lower-alpha 1] (Georgian: იოანე მთაწმინდელი; died c. 1002) was a Georgian monk, who is venerated as a saint. His name refers to his origins from the Kingdom of the Iberians.
John the Iberian | |
|---|---|
 Fresco of John the Iberian at Iviron on Mount Athos | |
| Athonite Father | |
| Born | Kingdom of the Iberians |
| Died | ~1002 AD Mount Athos |
| Venerated in | Georgian Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | July 12 |
| Patronage | Georgia Mount Athos |
A member of the Georgian nobility, he was married and served as a military commander. However, he later became a monk in Bithynia and then traveled to Constantinople to rescue his son, Euthymius the Illuminator (Euthymius Opplyseren). Euthymius had been held as a hostage by the emperor.[1]
John and his son attracted many followers, so they both retired to the monastery of Saint Athanasius on Mount Athos. They founded Iviron monastery with the help of John’s brother-in-law, John Thornikos, a retired general. John served as the first abbot of Iviron. Died in 1002.[2]
References
- also known as John the Georgian, John the Hagiorite, and John Iweron.
- Butler, p. 86
- Butler, p. 87
Bibliography
- Butler, A. (1995) Butler's Lives of the Saints, Volume 7, Liturgical Press