The Will of the Catholicos

By Catholicos of Georgia Melchizedek I and D.P. Curtin

This appears to be a work of the 11th century Catholicos, Melchizedek I, who makes an inventory of those things that are in his possession as patriarch over the country, and relates what he would like to transition of power to be upon his death. This document stands as a sentinel work in the history of Georgia and grants a window into the dealin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dalcassian Publishing Company
• Release date: Dec 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9798869304247

Book preview

1

Introduction

This work by the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Melchizedek I, captures a brief moment in the history of the Georgian church, wherein its modern character begins to emerge, independent of both Greek and Armenian influence. The text itself is largely a legal will, addressed to the See of Mtskheti, granting an extensive list of the holdings of the Catholicos towards the end of his life, around 1031 AD. For this reason, this text is perhaps akin to the Anglo-Saxon ‘Domesday Book’. A modern audience is able to peer inside the episcopal court, and inside the library of the Georgian patriarch.

During his tenure, Melchizedek worked in concert with Bagrat III, George I, and Bagrat IV, and would go on to build the Svetitskhovli church, whose extensive