Icon of Saint Tamara. Icon of the Holy Blessed Queen of Georgia Tamara the Great
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1.05.1207 (14.05). - Blgv. Tamara, Queen of Georgia
St. Tamara, Queen of Georgia
(c. 1165–1207) came from the ancient Georgian Bagratid dynasty and was co-ruler of her father, George III, from 1178. The reign of St. Tamara is known as the golden age of Georgian history: Queen Tamara was distinguished by her high piety and, continuing the endeavors of her grandfather, St. blessed King David III the Restorer, contributed to the widespread spread of Orthodoxy throughout Georgia, the construction of churches and monasteries. She also built fortresses, bridges, and roads. She patronized sciences and art.
Saint Tamara convened a church council, which eliminated the troubles in church life and removed unworthy hierarchs. She proclaimed justice and mercy as the motto of her reign: “I am the father of the orphans and the judge of widows,” said Tamara. There was not a single case during her reign death penalty and corporal punishment. Wise Rule the blessed Queen Tamara won her nationwide love. During her reign, the Georgian kingdom expanded and strengthened.
Tamara's reign is surrounded by a poetic aura. Contemporary poets of the Queen praised her intelligence and beauty. They called her a vessel of wisdom, a smiling sun, a slender reed, a radiant face; they glorified her meekness, hard work, obedience, religiosity, and beauty. There were legends about her perfections that have survived in oral transmission to our times. Byzantine princes, the Sultan of Aleppo, and the Shah of Persia sought her hand.
Her first husband was the Russian Prince George (son), but this marriage was dissolved. 10 years after ascending the throne, Tamara enters into a new marriage - with her childhood friend, the Ossetian ruler David Soslani - and opens an offensive policy. She conquers almost all of Transcaucasia from the Muslims, which brings her great fame, echoes of which can be heard in the Russian legend about the Iveron Queen Dinara. Tamara was recognized as queen from Pontus to Gurgan (Caspian) and from Sper (the line from Trebizond to Kars) to Derbent, Khazaretia and Scythia. In 1204, the ruler of the Rum Sultanate, Rukn-ed-Din, turned to Queen Tamara demanding that Georgia renounce Christianity and adopt Islam. Queen Tamara rejected this demand, and in the historic battle near Basiani, the Georgian army defeated the coalition of Muslim states.
Last years She spent her life in the cave monastery of Vardzia. The Blessed Queen had a cell connected through a window with the temple, from which she could offer prayers to God during Divine services. She died peacefully in 1207 (and not in 1213, according to updated data) and was canonized. Her memory is celebrated twice: on May 1 - the day of her repose, and again on (movable celebration).
Russian Orthodox Church honors St. Queen Tamara, also remembering that Georgia is not a foreign country for us. – .
More about Georgia in our calendar:
Most sources indicate that the holy and blessed queen of Georgia, Tamara the Great, came from the ancient Georgian Bagration dynasty. It is worth noting that Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin) in his sermons mentions that this ancient dynasty originates in the family of the brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed, whose descendants came to Byzantium in the 6th century. The eldest of them was called Bagrat (in Greek Pankratius), and it was he who received as inheritance from the Byzantine emperor one of southern regions Georgia, after which this dynasty became reigning.
During her lifetime, her father crowned his daughter king, thus Saint Tamara, like her famous grandfather, David III the Renewer, shared with her father the burden of power and government at a young age. After the death of her father in 1184, Tamara began to rule the country independently. She worthily continued the work begun by her grandfather, who put a lot of effort into unifying Georgia, establishing order and developing the education of the Georgian people.
In 1103, by order of King David, the Orthodox confession of faith was approved in Georgia and canons concerning the behavior of Christians were adopted, hierarchs who had a high rank not due to personal dignity and merit, but only due to their class origin, were removed, and new ones were elected in their places. Being an admirer myself Holy Scripture, David opened properly organized schools based on the model of Byzantine schools, from where 40 young Georgians were sent to Mount Athos to complete their education. Mercy, boundless charity and love of poverty were the characteristics of this beloved king. Under King David, Georgia began to be built up with monumental churches and monasteries.
The reign of the holy Queen Tamara is absolutely consistent with the undertakings of her grandfather. Never, neither before nor after, has Georgia achieved such a degree of external power and internal prosperity as during her reign. The name of Saint Tamara is the most dear to the Georgian people; it has been shining on the horizon of the Georgian Church among the names of martyrs and saints for many centuries. Queen Tamara was distinguished by high piety and contributed to the widespread Christian faith throughout Georgia, the construction of numerous temples and monasteries. Like King David, Queen Tamara immediately convened a council to eliminate troubles in church life and establish administrative order. Unworthy bishops were removed from the pulpit, rulers who abused their power were removed, churches were freed from duties, the lot of the peasants was eased, and internal peace was restored in the country.
Tradition tells us that immediately after her coronation, Queen Tamara saw a prophetic dream, which she interpreted as a danger from the vast Muslim world in the east of her country. She realized that terrible wars with him were coming and she would win them.
In matters of government, Queen Tamara had a special tact that evoked reciprocal respect from those around her. She gave her commands not rudely, but also not weak-willedly like a woman. She was a reconciling and connecting force. There were legends about her perfections, everyone wanted to see her, Byzantine princes, the Sultan of Aleppo, and the Shah of Persia sought her hand. A contemporary wrote about her this way: “Proper build, dark color eyes and pink coloring of white cheeks, a shy look, a manner of regally freely darting glances around oneself, a pleasant language, cheerful and alien to any cheekiness, speech that delights the ear, a conversation alien to any depravity.” Contemporary poets of the queen praised her intelligence and beauty. She was called a vessel of wisdom, her meekness, hard work, obedience, religiosity were glorified (from Encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron).
During the day, sitting on the throne, she examined state affairs and performed court proceedings, amazing with the wisdom and generosity of those who came to her. It was a court where truth triumphed, but she also had mercy for the condemned. In the palace of Queen Tamara, even her enemies found forgiveness and mercy. During her reign there was not a single case of death penalty or corporal punishment. At night, Saint Tamara prayed to the Mother of God for the protection of her subjects or did handicrafts; the proceeds from the sale of her products went to alms to the poor. A significant part of the treasury was directed to the benefit of the needy and poor, spent on the construction of monasteries and to help churches in countries that were under the yoke of Muslim rulers. Her heart was also open to foreigners of other faiths - “She didn’t ask the hungry: who are you? And the poor man: what kind of faith do you have?”
During the reign of Queen Tamara, friendly relations between Georgia and the fraternal, same-faith Russia significantly intensified. The tsarina’s first husband was the son of Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky, Yuri. Yuri bravely fought the enemies of his new fatherland, but, unfortunately, soon certain excesses were revealed in his behavior that Queen Tamara could not tolerate. She exhorted Yuri to reform both herself and through the monks, and finally decided to divorce him. Yuri came to Georgia twice with an army to return the lost throne, but both times he was expelled from the country. Queen Tamara entered into a new marriage with Prince David Soslani, with whom she grew up as a child and who was one of her best commanders.
In the last years of the 12th and the first years of the 13th century, the time came for the embodiment of the queen’s prophetic dream - the united forces of the Muslim states of the Middle East invaded Georgia twice and both times they found their defeat here. Both the Caliph of Baghdad, the head of Muslims around the world, who combined royal and religious power, and the ruler of the Rum Sultanate, Rukn-ed-Din, who turned to Queen Tamara demanding that Georgia renounce Christianity, were confident of victory, but, despite the small number of Georgian troops, they were forced to leave the Georgian country.
Holy Queen Tamara did not rely on the power of weapons, but on the help of God. As the chronicle tells, when gathering troops, she addressed the soldiers: “My brothers! Let your hearts not tremble before the multitude of the enemy and your small number, for the Lord is with us. Trust only God and turn your hearts righteously to Him, and all your hope is in the Cross of Christ and intercession Holy Mother of God put it down." In all the churches and monasteries of Georgia, all-night vigils and liturgies were celebrated continuously, and alms were generously distributed.
Queen Tamara herself, kneeling before the Blachernae Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, fervently prayed to Her for the victory of the Christians: “Mother of God! Georgia - Your lot. You are the Mistress, and I am only Your last servant. Defend your inheritance yourself!” And her prayer was heard - both battles ended in complete victory for the Orthodox Georgian army.
The established peace and the ardent desire of Queen Tamara to educate the Georgian people had a beneficial effect on the development of sciences, art and the brilliant flowering of Georgian historical and secular literature. Under Queen Tamara, the country appeared big number enlightened people, orators, theologians, philosophers, historians, artists and poets. Works of spiritual, philosophical and literary content were translated into Georgian. During this period, the great Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli became famous. His poem “The Knight in Tiger Skin,” which he dedicated to Queen Tamara, is the pinnacle of the development of Georgian medieval poetry.
In governing the state, as in her personal life, Queen Tamara steadily followed the Divine commandments of the Savior. All spheres of national life were imbued with her high moral influence. Her authority stood at an unattainable height. But she was not seduced by glory: humility and love for people accompanied the queen in her concerns for the good of the Georgian people. Queen Tamara often said: “She was born naked from her mother’s womb, but naked (free from earthly acquisitions and possessions) she would like to go to the Eternal Judge.” The wise reign of the blessed Queen Tamara won her popular love. With wisdom government controlled Holy Queen Tamara united with holy zeal for the spread and establishment of Christianity among the mountain tribes of the Caucasus subject to her, sending clergy and teachers of the faith to them.
Queen Tamara spent the last years of her life in the Vardzia Assumption Cave Monastery. She donated many villages to the monastery, decorated its temples and ordered a “Big” church to be carved into the rock. The church contained a fresco portrait of Queen Tamara and an inscription mentioning her. Tamara's Church is distinguished by its simplicity, lack of carvings and ornaments. Many other rooms, galleries, grottoes, carved into the rocks, constitute a wondrous and beautiful creation. Queen Tamara's cell communicated through a window with the temple, so she could offer prayers to God during services.
Queen Tamara died peacefully around 1212–1213 ( exact date unknown). Before her death, she turned to the Lord: “Christ my God! I entrust to You this kingdom, entrusted to me by You, and this people, redeemed by Your Honest Blood. I commend my soul to you..."
The Georgian people believe that the great saint did not die, but sleeps on a golden bed, and when the time comes, she will wake up and reign again. There is a legend that the Great Queen Tamara bequeathed to bury her secretly, so that the grave would forever remain hidden from the world, fearing the revenge of the Muslims she defeated. Georgia fulfilled her will. At night, several detachments left the gates of the castle where Queen Tamara died, each of which carried a coffin. They were secretly buried in different places, no one knew which of them contained the queen’s body. According to one legend, she was buried in the Gelati Monastery, in the Bagrationi tomb. Another legend claims that she was buried in Jerusalem, since she promised to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but during her lifetime she could not do this, and the new king - George IV Lasha (son of Tamara and David) fulfilled his mother’s cherished desire: a detachment of Georgians who joined to the army of the crusaders, brought the coffin of Queen Tamara to the Cross Monastery. But this is a mystery that has not yet been revealed.
If it were possible to call the queen by another name, then this name would be “mercy”...
If one could call her reign in one word, then that word would be “nobility”...
Holy Queen Tamara took the scepter - like a cross and, ascending to the throne, said: “I am the father of orphans and the mother of widows.” She became not only a queen, but a mother and guardian angel of the peoples of Georgia; with her spirit and love, she never left and will never leave her country.
What a miracle happened
We again return to the fact that we do not always see some kind of overt sign from the icon. We call signs from the Lord and His Mother, healings given to us through prayers to Him and His saints a miracle and wait, like children wait for a trick, but God cannot have “tricks,” for everything is possible for Him, and because it is miraculous for us it is natural for Him, and if we truly believe, then this will not be a miracle for us, since it comes from God. But we say: “God is marvelous in his saints,” remembering their constant intercession. The miracle is different - when earthly human prayer warms and opens our heart so much that the Lord Himself and His saint can look into it and give it what it truly wants.
But it is known that the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, donated by the holy Queen Tamara to the Ossetian people, otherwise called Mozdok, is miraculous, like most copies of the Iveron Icon. And this is also the Supreme blessing of the works of Queen Tamara, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Most Heavenly Patroness of Iberia and the Intercessor Mother of humanity.
The meaning of the icon
In the biography of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Tamara the Great of Georgia, Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin), comparing the Church with a marvelous garden, calls the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Tamara (Tamar) with the majestic lily in this garden. On the icon the holy queen was always depicted in all the splendor of her royal glory. Her palace was orientally beautiful, full of expensive gifts that were brought to her with all their hearts. But the magnificent clothes in which she is depicted on the icons are nothing more than a tribute to her royal status, the duties that she performed, as they perform obedience before God. Her soul was always dressed in a hair shirt, similar to the hair shirt of an ascetic nun.
During the day she was engaged in state affairs, administered court, merciful and fair - Archimandrite Raphael compares the greatness and fairness of this court with the greatness and fairness of the court of the wisest king and prophet Solomon and says that the word nobility is synonymous with her reign. But the mercy of the holy queen was so great that in all cases where possible, she sought to grant forgiveness, showing it even towards enemies who sought to destroy her.
At night, she put on that very simple hair shirt, not only with her soul, and offered up tireless prayer to the Mother of God for her people. She called the Queen of Heaven the Queen of Georgia, and herself only an unworthy servant of Her.
For her, all the countless riches that the eastern rulers threw at her feet were nothing, they became only a means for carrying out her tireless concern for the needs of the country, which she made prosperous, for the needs of the people in whom she instilled the same love for the Lord and the true faith . Her spirit shone with the fire of apostolic love, the same one about which the Apostle Paul wrote and which burned within her (1 Cor. 13; 1-13). That is why she became equal to the apostles and was numbered among the myrrh-bearing women.
Memory of the Holy Queen Tamara ( Tamar * ) Georgian is celebrated twice a year - May 14(this day is called the “holiday of flowers” among many peoples of the world) and in 3rd Sunday after Easter(April 22, 2018), dedicated to. These two days have symbolic meaning.
Regal lily
If we compare the Church with a wondrous garden, then Queen Tamara will be the royal lily in this garden. Whoever pronounces her name in prayer feels the spiritual fragrance, like heavenly flowers, of the monasteries she built in the hearts of the mountains, chapels on the tops of rocks and temples and cathedrals erected in the valleys, majestic as the cliffs of the Caucasus. Whoever says her name in prayer hears the ringing of bells, announcing victory over the enemies of the cross. Whoever pronounces her name sees the blue and scarlet color of dawn in the sky of Georgia, in the rays of which the moon and stars fade.
Most peoples of the world in their songs and legends called May the most beautiful month of the year. The Georgian Church dedicates May Day to Queen Tamara, perhaps because her kingdom was the brightest and most beautiful day in the life of Georgia.
The Georgian Church celebrates the memory of Queen Tamara on the day of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women - those who, like the apostles, left everything earthly and followed Christ. Queen Tamara, ruling a vast state, was with Christ in her soul, like one of the myrrh-bearing women. She poured out her mercy, like ointment, on Georgia’s wounds and tried to wipe away every tear from her eyes. If it were possible to call the queen by another name, then this name would be “mercy.” If one could call her reign in one word, then that word would be “nobility.”
The people and history called her great, but it was not only the greatness of her victories, but also the greatness of her Christian soul, which shines to us through the darkness of centuries. Holy Queen Tamara took the scepter - like a cross and, ascending to the throne, said: “I am the father of orphans and the mother of widows.” She became not only a queen, but a mother and guardian angel of the peoples of Georgia.
Queen Tamara was called wise. Love gives a person unearthly wisdom, love opens a person’s heart to God, love gives a person the only true happiness - to be a sacrifice for others.
The life of the holy Queen Tamara was an invisible crucifixion for her people. If the holy fools hid the gift of clairvoyance and healing under the mask of imaginary madness, and the saints hid their spiritual exploits in the desert or behind the walls of monasteries, then the ascetic life of the Iberian crown-bearer was hidden from the eyes of the world even deeper - behind the splendor of the royal court, behind piles of gold and precious stones, which brought the capitals and cities of the East to her feet.
During the day, sitting on the throne, she examined state affairs and conducted court, like Solomon, amazing with the wisdom and generosity of those who came to her. It was a court where truth triumphed, but the spring of its mercy was not closed to the condemned. Solomon's sword reached even the altar of the temple; In Tamara’s palace, even the queen’s enemies found forgiveness and mercy - those who wanted her death and tried to point the sword at her chest. At night, Saint Tamara put on a hair shirt and prayed to the Mother of God, calling Her the Queen of Georgia, and herself the last slave. The prayers of the holy crown bearer, like fortress walls, protected the country from visible and invisible enemies.
Kings rule over the people, and the best of them serve their subjects as their masters. The queen's sleepless nights passed in long prayers, like those of a schema-nun, and her tears—sometimes transparent, like a diamond, sometimes bloody, like a ruby—flowed down like streams of peace onto the earth. Her prayer was the flame that the demons feared: just as wild animals are afraid of a lit torch, just as wolves cannot approach the fire of a fire and only howl piercingly from afar.
Even in her youth, the holy Queen Tamara was given a dream: as if she were given wings, and she rose high into the sky above Georgia. She sees the Black Sea in the west. In it, like swans in a lake, Byzantine and Genoese ships float. In the south is Byzantium, the same faith, Constantinople - the fortress of Orthodoxy, standing like a giant on two continents. In the north are the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, like white clouds, shining like the domes of a temple. She looked to the east and saw the Caspian Sea, which in rage was raising its waves higher and higher. With a terrible roar they rush like lions to prey, and the boiling waters of the Caspian fall. The crests of the waves seem to rise above Caucasus mountains that the Caspian Sea will capsize like a huge bowl and swallow the entire Caucasus in its abyss, and it, as under Noah, will turn into the bottom of the ocean, and Georgia will forever disappear into the abyss of raging waves.
Holy Queen Tamara began to pray to God for the salvation of her country, and she saw three angels in the form of young men who raced on horses to the shore of the Caspian Sea and, stopping, began to shoot fiery arrows into the sea. There was a roar, as if the Caucasus mountains had collapsed, a pillar of fire rose to the sky, as during the death of Sodom, and the entire huge Caspian Sea began to glow, like an oil swamp is burning. And she again sees the Caspian in the form of an old man who groans and begs for mercy.
Queen Tamara woke up in deep sorrow. She realized that a terrible danger was coming from the east, but the Lord would save Georgia during her earthly life, just as the Lord saved the Jews from the invasions of the Assyrians and Babylonians for the sake of the righteous king Ezekiah.
Under Queen Tamara, Georgia reached the pinnacle of its power. The traveler stands on the top of the mountains and examines the surroundings under his feet, as if from an eagle's flight. He admires the azure flame of the sky and the clouds, like whimsical fairy-tale islands floating in the blue expanse, the meadows, like a carpet embroidered with fresh flowers. Meanwhile, black clouds are gathering over the horizon. A storm can catch a traveler in the mountains, raging streams can block his path. But nothing portends trouble, the sky is clear and calm.
The hordes of Genghis Khan are already gathering in the east. In the Altai mountains, in the plains of Manchuria, in the deserts of Mongolia, terrible forces are gathering. The Mongolian blade will soon cut the world map from Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. China will fall. Smoke from burned cities and villages will cover the sky over Georgia with black mourning. A fiery avalanche of Mongolians will sweep over Russia. The Mongol cavalry will reach the borders of Serbia, and Batu, scooping up water from the Adriatic Sea with his helmet, will pour it onto the shore as a sign that this land now belongs to the Mongols. But while Queen Tamara is alive, the sun will shine over Georgia, the farmer will throw grains of wheat into the furrows of the field, the architects will build temples and fortresses, and the mother will breastfeed her child.
Like a royal crown, Queen Tamara decorated the tops of the mountains with stone crosses, erected temples and monasteries in mountain gorges and dense forests, and cathedrals in the plains, like impregnable fortresses. It seemed that all of Georgia, through the mouths of the altars, was singing a hymn to God. Queen Tamara completed the construction of monasteries, begun under her father George and great-great-grandfather Saint David the Builder. She completed the construction cave monastery Vardzia – the castle of roses, where I spent Lent. She built the Betania monastery in honor of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Restored the Georgian Cross Monastery in Palestine.
Her treasury was like a lake into which the treasures of her vast kingdom and vassal countries flowed like rivers and streams, and from the other end of the lake flowed golden rivers and streams for the needy and poor, for the construction of monasteries, to help the Churches in countries under yoke of Muslim rulers. And her heart was open to foreigners and her hand was generous. She didn’t ask the hungry man: who are you? And the poor man: what is your faith?
Twice the united forces of the Muslim states of the Middle East invaded Georgia and twice found a common grave in Georgian soil. The first campaign was undertaken by the Baghdad caliph, the head of Muslims around the world, who combined royal and religious power. He occupied the same position and had the same unquestioned authority as the Pope in the Holy Roman Empire. The Muslim states neighboring Georgia fielded a huge army. It was led by atabeg Abubekr.
While the Georgian army was gathering, Queen Tamara prayed for many days in the churches of Tbilisi. The army left the gates of the capital. Queen Tamara walked ahead - barefoot, with flowing hair, with a cross in her hands, like the prophetess Deborah before the army of the Israelites. She blessed her warriors with the cross, who passed by her in orderly ranks, sparkling with armor and military weapons, with raised banners, knowing that many of them would not return back.
Then she entered the Metekhi Church of the Most Holy Theotokos and in front of the icon of Hodegetria began to pray that the Virgin Mary would save Georgia, as she had once saved Constantinople, surrounded by hordes of Avars and Scythians. The people prayed with Queen Tamara. Everyone confessed their sins to God. Those who had previously been at enmity with each other made peace, the rich forgave debts to their debtors, and released prisoners and captives. Temples were open day and night. In the Battle of Shamkhor, the Georgian army won. The main trophy in this battle was the Shamkhor fortress, which was considered impregnable.
Particularly formidable for Georgia was the invasion of Muslims under the banners of the Rum Sultan Ruknadin, the ruler of a state formed from a province separated from Byzantium, who, like Caesar of Byzantium, considered himself the heir of the Roman Empire. The Sultan of Rum, confident of his victory, sent a letter to Queen Tamara, where, with unheard-of insolence, he demanded that the queen, together with the people, convert to Islam. Therefore, the fight against the Turkish-Arab army was, first of all, a fight for faith.
The Sultan of Rum expected that the Georgian army, which was inferior to him in numbers, would not dare to engage in battle and would go on the defensive, and he would take fortresses and cities one after another and close the ring of his troops around Tbilisi. The proud sultan, who considered himself the successor of the Caesars, wanted to take Tbilisi by storm, as Titus had once taken Jerusalem, and wash away the shame with the blood of Georgians for the defeat that King David the Builder inflicted on the Turks, snatching Tbilisi from their hands like a crown.
The Rum Sultan was an experienced warrior; he spent his life in battles with the Byzantines and Crusaders, where he won victories and suffered defeats. But now something happened that he did not expect: the war ended in one battle. At the Vardzia Monastery a wave crashed like a rock, and his army perished.
An army was hastily assembled in Georgia, as if the sound of a silver battle trumpet had spread throughout the country. Queen Tamara, addressing the soldiers, said: “Do not let the multitude of the enemy frighten you, rely on the power of the cross. God’s judgment will be carried out in battle.”
The Sultan of Rum received the ambassador in his tent made of snow-white silk, who brought the answer that the Georgians had accepted the challenge to war. At this time, the Sultan was informed that the Georgian army was approaching. “Perhaps a detachment from the allied emirates, who have heard the call for jihad - a holy war against Christians, is rushing to us.” They answered the Sultan: these are Christians; we saw the cross on their banners.
There is no corner in Georgia where the name of Queen Tamara is not pronounced with blessing. The queen knew that the enemies of Christ would want to take revenge on her after death, and therefore she bequeathed to bury her secretly, so that the grave would forever remain hidden from the world. Georgia fulfilled her will. Her grave was preserved from the Mohammedans and the Mongols, and from those vandals who tear up and desecrate the tombs of their kings. The whole country mourned the queen, the whole people felt orphaned. It seemed that the glory and greatness of Georgia were embodied in the person of the queen, and now formidable trials lay ahead.
At night, ten detachments left the gates of the castle where Queen Tamara died. Everyone carried a coffin, ten coffins were secretly buried in different places. No one knew which of them contained the queen's body. According to one legend, she was buried in the Gelati Monastery, in the Bagrationi tomb. Another claims that she was buried in Jerusalem, since she promised to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but during her lifetime she could not do this, and the new king Lasha, George, fulfilled his mother’s cherished wish: a detachment of Georgians, joining the army of the crusaders, brought the coffin of Queen Tamara to the Cross Monastery. But this is a secret that the lips of the earth will never tell...
The mountain people have a legend that when troubles and sorrows increase, Queen Tamara will come to Georgia again, sit again on her golden throne and console the people. But Queen Tamara, reigning not on earth, but in heaven with her spirit and love, never left Georgia and will never leave it.
Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin)
*Tamar- this is an ancient Caucasian pronunciation, the ending “a” was added later, so to speak, in the Russian way. Tamar is the only queen whom Georgians call a king. Hence this use of the name.
The year 2013 was declared by His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos of All Georgia Ilia II, for, according to most historians, 800 years have passed since this amazing holy ruler of Iberia passed away to the Lord. The portal presents a biography of the holy Queen Tamara, prepared based on extremely interesting Georgian chronicles.
In Georgia, the people have exceptional love for the two holy wives - and the blessed Queen Tamara. Over the centuries that have passed since her death, this love has not weakened at all, and cannot weaken, for Saint Tamara not only exalted Georgia during her earthly reign, but even after her death she only multiplied prayers for her suffering homeland, which was plunged into ruin for many centuries. into the unbearable horror of the Islamic yoke. The very reign of the blessed queen became a real miracle and a gift for Georgia, since it was in this fragile, unusually beautiful woman, the Georgians found their best ruler, just and merciful, not wise like a woman, but wise like an angel. And most importantly, it was in her that we found the eternal, until the very Last Judgment a vigilant prayer book and representative at the Throne of God.
Two major works have survived to our time, in which the holy queen’s contemporaries describe her life and reign. The first of them - “The Life of the Queen of Queens Tamar” - was written, according to the most authoritative Georgian researchers, by a close associate of Queen Basili Ezosmodzgvari. In this work, attention is paid primarily to the moral character of the saint, which, in fact, should be most consistent with the hagiographic genre. Another work, “History and Praise of the Crowned People,” was written by a man more secular in spirit than the author of “The Life of the Queen of Queens,” but also an eyewitness to most of the events he describes. It is replete with detailed geographical information, descriptions of battles and state councils. Together, both of these works recreate the life of the era in question in sufficient detail. All other information about the life of Saint Tamara is contained in separate surviving decrees and documents like deeds of gift. Fortunately, both works were translated into Russian in the first half of the 20th century, so we can rely on primary sources, detailed information which you can read about in the relevant articles.
The Life of the Holy Blessed Queen Tamara
Childhood and youth
Holy Queen Tamara (1166-1213) came from the Bagratid family, which, according to established Georgian tradition, is usually traced back to the descendants of King David. The author of “History and Praise of the Crowned Bearers” at the very beginning of his narrative writes that he will “broadcast “praise of praise” to the one who came from the seed of Solomon,” for she “fully corresponded to her ancestors - the Davidids, Khosrovids and Pankratids.”
The father of Saint Tamara was the “king of kings” George, the grandson of the famous Saint David the Builder. He fought a lot with the Mohammedans. Under him, the borders of Georgia were further expanded, so that “the Greek, Alemannic in Jerusalem, Roman, Indian and Chinese kings brought him gifts and fraternized with him; the sultans of Khvarasan, Babylon, Sham, Egypt and Iconium served him.” Burdukhan, the mother of Saint Tamara, was beautiful and smart. From such parents came the one who was to become the adornment of Georgia, and indeed the entire Mediterranean.
In 1178, George, having gathered representatives of his seven kingdoms, with the consent of the patriarchs and all bishops, nobles, military leaders and generals, declared Tamara queen.
Two marriages and confirmation on the throne
From the very beginning of her reign, Tamara showed remarkable intelligence, being concerned, first of all, with electing the most worthy persons to the positions of viziers and military leaders. During this time, Tamara provided the bishops with donations, freeing the churches from dues and taxes. According to the chronicler, “during her reign, farmers became aznaurs, aznaurs became nobles, and the latter became rulers.”
She made Antony Glonistavisdze from Gareji and the two sons of Amirspasalar Mkhargrdzeli: Zacharia and Ivane her close associates. Although they were Armenians by faith, they highly revered Orthodoxy, so that one of them - Ivane - subsequently “understood the crookedness of the Armenian faith, crossed himself and became a true Christian.” In the future, all these people will show themselves with best sides.
However, not everyone appreciated the tenacious mind of the young queen. Some of the senior officials conspired to rise even higher and not to let new associates higher up the career ladder pass by. Minister of Finance Kutlu-Arslan openly proposed creating some kind of parliament that would deal with the affairs of government, and Tamara’s power would be reduced only to the formal approval of all the laws they adopted. The queen detained the minister, the military stood up for him, but through negotiations the situation was resolved.
In 1185, by unanimous decision of the Patriarch, bishops and courtiers, it was decided to find a husband for young Tamara. For this purpose, the merchant Zerubbabel was sent to Rus', “due to the belonging of the Russian tribes to Christianity and Orthodoxy.” Arriving in Rus' and meeting George, the son of the holy martyr Andrei Bogolyubsky, “a valiant youth, perfect in physique and pleasant to contemplate,” Zankan brought him to Georgia. Everyone approved of the groom’s choice, but Tamara, judicious beyond her age, said: “How can you take such a rash step? Let me wait until you see his advantages or disadvantages.” But the courtiers insisted on their decision, forced her consent and arranged a wedding.
A little later, Tamara’s fears were justified: our compatriot, alas, proved himself to be a drunkard who committed “many indecent things.” For two and a half years the saint endured her husband’s vices, addressed him through worthy monks, and then she herself began to denounce him face to face. But George became even more furious and began to commit more destructive offenses. Then Tamara, “shedding tears, sent him into exile, providing him with untold wealth and jewelry.” In 1187, George settled in Constantinople.
Thanks to her natural beauty, intelligence and charm, the saint became a desired bride for many kings and princes from all over the world. The eldest son of the Byzantine emperor Manuel almost went crazy because of her. Several sultans were ready to betray Islam just to win her hand. But Tamara remained adamant, because. Due to her innate craving for purity, she generally wanted to remain celibate.
However, the courtiers were worried about the lack of an heir, and only for his sake did the saint agree to marry the Ossetian prince David, a pupil of her aunt Rusudan, in 1188. This marriage turned out to be successful. In David, Saint Tamara found a wonderful husband and a fearless military leader. Contemporaries said about his abilities that “this David, within one year, surpassed everyone in everything that comes from the hands of man.” Soon Tamara gave birth to an heir, whom she named after her grandfather George, and then a daughter, whom she named after her aunt - Rusudan.
Having learned about the marriage of Saint Tamara, the Russian prince decided to compete for the lost throne. He left Constantinople and came to the country of Ezinkan. There he was joined by numerous traitors. Having collected big army, they went to war against Tamara, but were defeated in a night battle at the Kura River. The saint showed mercy and did not execute any of the traitors, even ex-husband releasing him to freedom.
George twice after this tried to regain the Georgian throne, but each time he was defeated by vassals loyal to Tamara.
State achievements
The reign became a time of prosperity not only for Georgia, but also for the surrounding peoples. According to the chronicler, “she sat as a judge between neighboring kings, making sure that no one started wars or tried to throw the yoke of violence on each other.” At the same time, she herself never relaxed from the action of time and did not show disdain for management. And it was during her reign that Georgia achieved such glory and power that it had never possessed before or after.
The enumeration of the cities she took alone could fill a whole book. And therefore we will dwell in detail only on two brilliant victories that she won over those who, out of hatred for Christianity, wanted to wipe Georgia off the face of the earth.
Caliph Abu Bakr, who hated Christianity, “opened the ancient treasuries” to gather a huge army from India, Samarkand and Derbent and move to Georgia. There were so many troops he collected that, according to the chronicler, they “did not have the opportunity to fit into one country.” Having learned about the impending invasion, Saint Tamara ordered that a decree be circulated so that an army would immediately gather, that all-night vigils and litias would be held in all churches and monasteries, and that the courtiers would send “ more money and everything necessary for the poor." In ten days they managed to gather a considerable army. The saint turned to the soldiers: “My brothers, do not be afraid because there are so many of them, and you are few, because God is with us.” After which she entrusted them to God, and she herself took off her shoes and came barefoot to the Church of the Mother of God in Metekhi, where, falling in front of the holy icon, she did not stop praying with tears.
The Georgians were the first to attack the enemy. Seeing the Islamic forces between Gandza and Shamkhor, they dismounted, bowed to God and prayed before the Holy Cross with tears, and then struck the enemies and won. The number of prisoners was so great that they were sold for a wooden measure of flour.
“Did Tamar’s heart become proud?” the biography writer asks her and immediately answers: “On the contrary, she became even more humble before God.”
In 1202, the Sultan of Rum Rukn ad-Din spoke out against Saint Tamara, who feignedly concluded a number of peace treaties with her, and at that time he himself was recruiting troops throughout Ecumene: in Mesopotamia and Kalonero, in Galatia, Gangra, Ankyria, Isauria, Cappadocia , Greater Armenia, Bithynia and on the borders of Paphlagonia.
Rukn-ad-Din, seeing the army he had assembled, sent an envoy to Tamara: “I, Rukn-ad-Din, the Sultan of all the heavens, co-seating with God, I notify you, the queen of Georgia, Tamara. I am going so that you will never dare to take up the sword again. And I will give life only to the one who professes the faith of the Prophet Muhammad, rejects your faith and begins to break the cross with his own hand. Expect reprisals from me for the misfortune you brought upon Muslims.” Tamara, placing all her trust in God, called the courtiers and began to confer with them “not like a woman and not with disregard for the dictates of reason.” In a few days it was possible to gather soldiers, who first went to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vardzia. The queen entrusted her husband and his entire army to the Mother of God, and wrote a letter to the Sultan: “She who entrusted herself To Almighty God To the Almighty and eternally praying to the Virgin Mary and trusting with faith in the honorable Cross, I read your message, which angers God, Nucardin. Anyone who falsely swears in the name of the Lord will be wiped off the face of the earth by God. I am sending a Christ-loving army to crush your pride and arrogance." The warriors bowed Life-giving Cross and went out on a campaign, and the queen devoted herself to fasting and prayer.
When the Georgian troops arrived in Basiani, they saw that the Sultan had no guards posted. They attacked first, the Turks abandoned their camp and rushed to the fortifications. The Georgians surrounded them and frightened them so much that the defeated themselves tied up their fellow tribesmen. The townspeople decorated Tbilisi for the arrival of the king and queen, and they entered the city with the banner of Rukn ad-Din. The royal treasuries were filled with gold and golden utensils.
Interestingly, through the efforts of Queen Tamara, the entire Trebizond Empire was established, which appeared in 1204 after. As you know, Saint Tamara patronized a lot. One day, many monks came to her from the Black Mountain, Cyprus and other places. The saint gave them a large number of gold. When the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Angelos saw it, he took it away from the monks. The queen sent gold to the reverend fathers in another more. At the same time, angry with the Greek king, she sent an army from Western Georgia to the Greek possessions, so that the Georgians took from the Greeks Lazika, Trebizond, Limon, Samison, Sinop, Kerasund, Kitiora, Amastris, Araclia and all the lands of Paphlagonia and Pontus. Over all these lands she placed her distant relative Alexius Komnenos, who became the emperor of the Trebizond Empire.
The rise of Georgian culture
Immediately after her election, Saint Tamara expressed her will that a church council be convened. She called Nikolai Gulaberisdze from Jerusalem, who, due to his modesty, at one time fled the rank of Catholicos of Kartli. When he arrived in Kartli, she gathered all the clergy, monks and hermits of her kingdom and people who were experts in the law of God, striving to ensure that the evil seeds that had sprouted in the soil of Orthodoxy were destroyed in her kingdom. Having gathered everyone for the Council in one room and seated them on thrones, the queen sat down at a distance and said: “Oh, holy fathers, examine everything well and confirm what is straight and drive out what is crooked. Do not be partial to princes because of their wealth, and do not despise the poor because of their poverty. You in word, and I in deed, you in teaching, and I in teaching, you in instruction, and I in institution, let us all give each other a helping hand in order to preserve God's laws undefiled."
The queen did everything to ensure that during her reign the rank church service was carried out in full, according to the instructions of the Typikon and according to the Charter of Palestinian monasteries.
Saint Tamara cared a lot about landscaping God's temples. In the palace itself, vigils and prayers were continuously served, and the Bloodless Sacrifice was offered. During this period, the churches of Ikorta and Kvatakhevi were built in Kartli, and Lurji Monastery in Tbilisi. Only the ruins of the once magnificent Geguta Palace have reached us. A unique monument of the 12th century is the monastery complex carved into the rock in Javakheti. This is a fortified city, which consists of several hundred caves. Near Vardzia there is also the Vakhan Monastery carved into the rock. ABOUT high level engineering art is evidenced by the Besletsky, Rkonsky bridges and the Dandalo bridge.
She also sent her confidants all over the world, asking them: “Go around, starting from Alexandria, all of Libya and Mount Sinai.” She was sad about the needs of the churches, monasteries and Christian peoples of those countries, sent chalices, paten, covers for shrines and innumerable gold for monks and beggars. She did the same in the regions of Hellas and the Holy Mountain, also in Macedonia and Bulgaria, in the regions of Thrace and in monasteries of Constantinople, in Isauria and all around the Black Mountain and Cyprus.
In general, the very time of the reign of Saint Tamara became the “Golden Age” of Georgian culture. Even if we do not mention the names of Chakhrukhadze and Shavteli, who wrote “Tamariani” and “Abdul-Messiah,” little known to the Russian reader, everyone is familiar with the most famous Georgian poetic work"The Knight in Tiger's Skin." It is interesting that its author, the brilliant Shote Rustaveli, according to one version, was hopelessly in love with his mistress and brought out her bright image in the personality of one of the heroines of his great poem.
Death and posthumous veneration
In 1206, the husband of Saint Tamara, David Soslan, died, a man “full of all goodness, divine and human, beautiful in appearance, brave and courageous in battles and war, generous, humble and exalted in virtues.”
The saint made her son George Lasha her co-ruler, and she herself, according to the inevitable law of the universe, began to prepare for death. First she took care of government affairs and dealt with them, then dealt with church and monastic affairs. It was then that she developed an unknown illness. All human art turned out to be in vain. Everywhere lithiums and continuous all-night vigils were served for her health, and one could see “how tears were shed equally by both the rich and the poor.” People cried out to God: “If only she alone would remain alive, but destroy us all!”
Wise Tamara called to her all the eminent people of the kingdom: “My brothers and children! So I am called by the Terrible Judge. I kept love for you in my heart. I pray to all of you to do good deeds and remember me. I leave you my children, George and Rusudan, as heirs of my house; accept them in my place.” After which she turned to God: “Christ, my One God, I entrust to You this kingdom, which You have entrusted to me, and this people, redeemed by Your honest Blood, and these children of mine, whom You have given me, and then my soul.”
The ashes of Saint Tamara were placed in the cathedral in Mtskheta for several days, and then buried in Gelati in the Bagrationi family tomb. However, no one knows where her relics actually rest. Knowing that the enemies of Christ would want to take revenge on her after death, she bequeathed to bury herself secretly so that the grave would remain hidden from the world. At night, ten detachments left the gates of the castle where Queen Tamara died. Everyone carried a coffin, ten coffins were secretly buried in different places. No one knew which of them contained the queen's body. According to one legend, she was buried in the Gelati monastery. Another claims that she was buried in the Cross Monastery of Jerusalem, since she promised to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but during her lifetime she could not do this, and the new king Lasha fulfilled her mother’s cherished wish.
Moral qualities holy queen
The name of Saint Tamara spread everywhere, like “the name of the angel of the four corners of the world, from east to west, from north to south.”
People loved her without regard and the animals themselves obeyed her. Once the Sultan sent her a lion cub as a gift; he grew up in the palace and became so attached to the saint that when he, already a huge, ferocious-looking lion, was taken out for a walk, he put his muzzle on her lap and caressed her like the lion of St. Gerasim. When they took him away, he cried profusely, flooding the ground with tears.
Saint Tamara made every effort to “her human nature remained simple, according to the nature of her internal make-up, without connection with passions.” She turned out to be wiser than Solomon, for she loved God and began to shun all the temptations of the world. To the surprise of everyone, she “spent the whole night standing on her feet, staying awake, praying, bowing and tearful supplications to the Lord, as well as doing needlework to help the poor.” She possessed the beginning of all good things - she was imbued with fear of the Almighty and served God faithfully. The prayer services and vigils performed in her palace, according to the chronicler, “exceeded the prayers of Theodosius the Great and even the hermits.”
The saint spent the days of her life in joy because she herself brought joy to all the poor and weak every day. She placed faithful caretakers over the poor. She gave a tenth of all state income - external and internal - to the poor and made sure that not even one grain of barley was lost.
In all of Georgia it was impossible to meet a single person who, with her knowledge, had been subjected to violence. During the 31 years of her reign, by her order, no one was punished even with a whip.
It is impossible to describe her love for priests and monks. There were always people in front of her who followed the rules righteous life.
Saint Tamara became one of the closest to everything Orthodox world saints It is not for nothing that so many women not only in Georgia, but also in Russia bear her name. Caring for her beloved Georgia, during her lifetime she did not forget about Byzantium and the Orthodox Slavic countries, sending help to Christians languishing in captivity, establishing magnificent monasteries and churches. Moreover, now, after death, she has become an intercessor for all of us. Her wisdom in governing the country had a truly Divine basis and is therefore very useful for all of us to study.
Finally, the love for God revealed in her life, the trust in His holy will and Providence is an example to all of us who are looking forward to the life of the next century, which through the prayers of the holy, blessed Queen Tamara, may the All-Merciful Lord, who so generously rewarded His servant, honor us!
Among Georgians who speak Russian, it is customary to call Saint Tamara Queen Tamar.
See Russian translation: Life of the Queen of Queens Tamar / Trans. and input V.D. Dondua. Research and note. M. M. Berdzenishvili. - Tb.: Metsniereba, 1985.
The life of the Queen of Queens Tamar. pp. 6–8.
See Russian translation: History and praise of the crown bearers / Trans. and input K.S. Kekelidze. - Tb.: AN Georgian SSR, 1954.
“I have now conveyed to History and Vasylography, which means “The Story of the Kings,” only what I either saw myself or heard from wise and reasonable people.”
History and praise of the crowned people. pp. 5–12; The life of the Queen of Queens Tamar. pp. 6–24.
The exact years of the life of the holy Queen Tamara are still discussed among historians. Cm. Berdznishvili M. M. About the author and time of writing “The Life of the Queen of Queens Tamar” // Life of the Queen of Queens Tamar. P. 18.
From time immemorial, the most revered Georgian saint is considered to be the icon of St. Tamara - she adorns more than one Georgian temple. This queen managed to do an indescribable amount of good deeds for her own people and is a great example of Christian asceticism in the world.
Wise and fair, she always cared for those who suffered hardships and suffering, thanks to which she earned fame among the people. Also, thanks to her ability to govern the country, Saint Tamara was able to protect Georgia from Islamic influence. It was the period of her reign that is often called the golden age of Georgia.
Life of Saint Tamara
The queen's family goes back to the noble king David. Her earthly journey was relatively short, 1165-1213 years. It would seem that such a short time, but this ascetic was able to accomplish so many good deeds.
Until now, Georgians consider the period of her reign best time in the country. Although Tamara herself can hardly be called the darling of fate, and she never bathed in luxury. On the contrary, she avoided it.
Her first husband was the son of Andrei Bogolyubsky named Georgy, a drunkard and a slave of all sorts of passions, with whom the queen had to break off relations. She could have remained a widow with a living husband, but the country needed an heir and it was decided to take a second husband, who now turned out to be David, the Ossetian prince. The next marriage turned out to be more productive, not only in terms of the appearance of an heir, but also in the sense of much better relationships.
Of the main reforms and achievements of Queen Tamara, it should be noted:
- exemption of the church from taxation;
- easing agricultural taxes;
- active support for widows, orphans and the disadvantaged;
- changing military commanders to more reliable ones;
- repelled the troops of two invaders, Caliph Abu Bakr and Sultan Rukn ad-Din;
- created a common council of church worship in the country;
- erected a considerable number of churches and monasteries.
In general, the country experienced development in all areas, from grandiose military achievements (not only the borders were strengthened, but many new cities were taken) to the development of culture.
The queen’s spiritual asceticism, as evidenced by biographers, deserves attention. During the day, dressed in luxurious clothes, she ruled the country and had access to a wide variety of wealth, even subjugating nearby countries. Nevertheless, at night the queen put on simple clothes and stood in prayer in order to gain true wealth - spiritual ones. It was such high wisdom and pious behavior that allowed the queen to achieve prosperity and with this allow her own country to prosper.
What do they pray for in front of the icon of Queen Tamara?
As it is not difficult to understand, the icon of St. Tamara is especially popular in Georgia. Indeed, Saint Tamara is considered primarily the protector of Georgia, and it is the representatives of this country who venerate the icon in a special way.
However, the saint is also the embodiment of some universal principles, and therefore can guide believers in any country to the true path. Saint Tamara is often asked to intercede with the Lord for:
- leaving bad habits and destructive passions - Tamara herself knew about the destructiveness of this from her first husband;
- the gift of wisdom and devotion to faith - she embodied these qualities;
- protection of orphans and widows - the queen, being in the mortal world, took care of them, continues to this day;
- healing from illnesses, including significant injuries - many in Georgia consider the icons of Queen Tamara to be healing;
- improving fate, choosing the right path - how a wise saint ruler can guide you on the right path and protect you from adversity.
The meaning of the icon of St. Tamara is that they come to this icon simply for advice and find relief there, as well as some really wise thoughts that help in business. The saint helps all Georgians on the planet, so many representatives of Iberia have this icon with them in order to always be able to turn to Saint Tamara.
Often this image is used as home amulet. Remember? The queen skillfully guarded the borders of her own country, and none of uninvited guests couldn't invade it.
Accordingly, Queen Tamara can protect your home. The presence of the icon of St. Tamara allows you to preserve the living space from the most variety of options external influence.
Prayers to the icon of Tamara
Troparion of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
Voice 8
Desiring the highest beauty, / you drove away the lower bodily pleasures far from yourself, / and, dwelling in the royal devil, / you conveyed the angelic life, / blessed Queen Tamaro, / pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Voice 4
In the wondrous saints, / Iberia was the shining light, / the blessed Queen Tamaro, / who erected temples on the high mountains, / so that in them prayers are sent to the Lord, / with your prayers you gave strength to the howl of the Christ-loving people of the Iberian country, / with your right hand you overthrew the Hagaryan hordes, / pray Christ God / our souls will be saved.
Prayer to the Holy Blessed Queen Tamara
Oh holy great missus Queen Tamara! We are sinners (name) and humble, as if we diligently resort to a warm protector and an ambulance, asking for help and intercession in the abyss of troubles plunged into the abyss of those who befall us every day and hour from wicked people, and those possessed by various illnesses, and through your intercession, since it is great If you have boldness towards God, pray for us in our sorrows, needs and misfortunes, and protect us from all enemies visible and invisible, especially from demonic intrigues and tricks, arrogant attacks and flattering approaches, so that we will not be their reproach and ridicule, and with your strong help drive them away from us, just as you drove them away from the country of Iveron and true love Establish in our hearts towards God and make us worthy.
When our departure from this temporary life and resettlement to eternity is ripe, soon appear to help us, and free us from the violence of the enemy, as if we have eternal life, and lead our hearts to true repentance, so that we too may present ourselves with clean lips and a clear conscience to the Most Holy Trinity , glorifying and singing Yu, with all the saints for endless centuries. Amen.