Shavteli Ioane
Ioane Shavteli, a Georgian poet and religious figure of the 12th–13th centuries. As can be seen from his nickname, he was originally from the village of Shavta.
The monument of the classical era of old Georgian literature Abdulmesiani is attributed to him. According to the The Georgian Chronicles, Ioane Shavteli was “a philosopher and rhetorician, a famous poet”. He was a contemporary and trusted person of Queen Tamar. According to chroniclers, he accompanied Queen Tamar to Vardzia and Odzrkhe during the Battle of Basiani (1203), and there he composed Galobani Vardziaisa Ghvtmshoblisani. Other works of a religious nature are also attributed to him. Ioane Shavteli seems to have been a religious figure, as indicated by the deep theological education revealed in his works. In some sources he is referred to as “blessed”, “saint”.
The Georgian Orthodox Church has established the day of commemoration of Saint Ioane Shavteli twice a year: on April 1 (14) (together with Eulogius of Salos) and on June 9 (22).
Literary works: [წიგნში] ძველი ქართული ლიტერატურის ქრესტომათია, შედგ. სოლ. ყუბანეიშვილის მიერ, [ტ.] 1, თბ., 1946; ქართველ წმინდანთა ცხოვრებანი, რედ. ა. მიქაბერიძე, თბ. – ათენი, 2003.
S. Tsaishvili
