Holy Blessed Queen Tamara the Great
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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 her high piety and contributed to the widespread spread of the Christian faith throughout Georgia and the construction of numerous churches 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 like this: “Regular build, dark eye color and pink coloring of white cheeks, a shy look, a manner of regally freely darting his gaze around her, a pleasant language, cheerful and alien to any cheekiness, a 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 last years In the 12th and early years of the 13th century, the time came for the queen’s prophetic dream to come true - the united forces of the Muslim states of the Middle East invaded Georgia twice, and both times they found 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 place all your hope in the Cross of Christ and the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.” 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 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.
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Kontakion 1
Chosen from the ancient dynasty of the Bagratid kings, a wonderful decoration of the Georgian country and the conqueror of Islam, and the widespread dissemination of the Christian faith, the planter of temples, fortresses and monasteries, and the preacher of the Word of God,
Hail Saint great missus Tamara, Christian warrior.
Ikos 1
All the red people of the world neglected their grandfather King David III, the follower of the Christian faith and its renewer throughout the Georgian country, the great holy Tamara, remembering such a strong and strong faith yours, we bring you this singing:
Rejoice, you who have despised all the good things on earth and the red things of the world. Rejoice, having loved Christ from youth with all your heart and with all your soul. Rejoice, King David III, follower of the Christian faith. Rejoice, and with Father George III, co-emperor. Rejoice, you who enlightened many people of the Svaneti region in Christianity. Rejoice, you who also built the temples of the Lord in Svaneti.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Almighty God about your zeal for the faith of Christians, sending help to you to defeat the Muslim faith of the Roman Sultanate of Ruqi-ed-Din, we are surprised, grateful to God, who arranged this, and sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Reason is pleasing to God, Saint Tamara, the all-praised one, it is beneficial to you and others to gain zeal, day and night, from the merciful God, you diligently asked for victory over the Islamic faith, and the humane God also heeded your prayer, giving victory, for the sake of which we cry out to you like this:
Rejoice, blessed Tamara, who, according to your desire and God's will, successfully achieved victory. Rejoice, thou who hast acquired many spiritual good and beneficial treasures from God. Rejoice, you who built many temples in the country of Iverstei. Rejoice, having strengthened many Christians with your wisdom. Rejoice, expander of the country's borders. Rejoice, builder of the construction of canals, roads, networks, and water pipelines. Rejoice, great builder of monastic monasteries. Rejoice, and planter of monuments of architecture, painting, literature and science.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has settled in pure is yours heart, faithful to Queen Tamara, kindle with love, and in historical battle win near Basiani. And in our country, for your wise rule, having won the love of all the people, and seeing your zeal as such, we sing to the Almighty God: Alleluia
Ikos 3
Having a great desire to renew the Christian faith throughout Iberia, the holy queen asked for strength from the Lord God and strengthen us who come to you with our faith, who wish to diligently sing and chant your name:
Rejoice, having been heard by the Almighty in your prayer. Rejoice, you who have received strength from the Lord. Rejoice, service to God and the Mother of God, who most of all loved you with all your soul. Rejoice, you who presented the image of humility to all old and young. Rejoice, praised and honored by all the virtues of your peers. Rejoice, you who called the time of your reign the golden age. Rejoice, you who have had glory throughout the world, are sung and glorified. Rejoice, and you who counted your reign as nothing. Rejoice, adorned with bright vestments from God. Rejoice, you who have the gifts of miracles.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 4
You are invincible from godless unrest, blessed Tamara, desiring to unceasingly work for the Lord, extending your labors to great lengths, leaving the royal throne, and spent time in the cave monastery of Vardzil, chanting to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing, blessed Tamara, about our fleeting life, she placed the monastic image on herself, and we, thinking about it, thus appeal to you:
Rejoice, having attributed your reign to the salvation of souls. Rejoice, and follower of the monastic life. Rejoice, you who built a church for yourself in the cave monastery of Vardzil. Rejoice, cell that had a window with the temple. Rejoice, who offered prayers from the window into the temple during Divine services. Rejoice, you who transform worldly storms, unrest and rebellion into silence. Rejoice, kindly guiding everyone into a saving haven. Rejoice, fierce and pacifying wisdom of the enemies of vacillation. Rejoice, you who receive under your protection and motherly protection.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 5
The epiphany star in the country of Iverste, enlightening many with the rays of its shrine, and instructing many on the path of knowledge of God, seeing this God's will for good, we sing with gratitude to the All-Merciful God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen many, your God-pleasing life, they break their hearts, remembering: “He who comes to Me I will not cast out,” we crown you with the same hymn:
Rejoice, queen, distinguished by her high piety. Rejoice, thou who art the continuator of all the undertakings of King George. Rejoice, promoting the wide spread of faith, art and spiritual culture throughout the country. Rejoice, you who successfully led the Iverskian troops to victory. Rejoice, conqueror of the seven Muslim faiths. Rejoice, you who encourage all Christians with your victories. Rejoice, strengthening all your followers through deeds and fervent prayer to God. Rejoice, you who affirm those who are overcome by resistance with sudden relief. Rejoice, watching over all Christians with a cheerful eye.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 6
We preach and everywhere praise your name, holy blessed queen, at the end of your earthly life, uncovetous in a closed cave, continued, marveling at your patience, the mortification of your body, giving praise to God with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Vozsia in the Iveron church region, blessed great Tamara, having enclosed herself in a cave, having also illuminated and enlightened the surrounding countries, and having created the hearts of many for good deeds, for this blessing of God, we bring you our singing:
Rejoice, you who still have wise rule over the country as a queen. Rejoice, and in the cell there is grace from God. Rejoice, thou who understandest in the vanity of those who live. Rejoice, stewardship of the good life of beginners. Rejoice, strengthening of those who are weary and shaken by despondency. Rejoice, affirmation of hard work for all. Rejoice, great organizer of Iberia. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of pure and immaculate life. Rejoice, all who want to live a pious and godly life, wise teacher.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 7
Although the all-evil enemy of your good undertaking created an obstacle, sending in 1204 the ruler of the Roman Sultanate to demand that Iberia renounce Christianity and accept Islam, you, good Queen Tamara, rejected this demand, and in the battle near Bassiani, having defeated the cunning and deceit of the enemy, about which you rejoiced, We sing gratefully to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Saint Tamara, the blessed Tamara, took on new work and a new feat in the life of the cave; in the Vardzil prayer temple you built, the most zealous service to Christ God and we, looking with intelligent eyes, constantly cry out to you:
Rejoice, conqueror of the insidious enemy of the Christian. Rejoice, you who have achieved the monastic sojourn in the cave. Rejoice, guardian of monastic abodes. Rejoice, you who built 365 caves and the Vardzil temple. Rejoice, there are many legends about eternal life gained yours. Rejoice, faithful performer of God's commandments. Rejoice, unconstrained ascetic in monastic labors. Rejoice, warm prayer book for us.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 8
A strange and sorrowful life, working only for God, for this sake we also sing to God, who taught you and taught you: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All your care, faithful Queen Tamara, resisting the all-evil Christian enemy, and trampling on his proud head, glorifying the common Creator. In the same way, the Glory of God rose from your cell and illuminated all the ends of the earth, so for the sake of such praise we sing to you:
Rejoice, To the One God working. Rejoice, powerfully subduing the enemy of pride. Rejoice, adorned with deep humility and meekness. Rejoice, gifted with wisdom from God. Rejoice, you who spent the last years of your life in unceasing prayer. Rejoice, and peacefully ended your earthly life. Rejoice, numbered among the holy ranks of the faithful.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 9
Every human mind, looking at your wretched and humble life, leaving the royal throne and all earthly honors, is a great reward, giving thanks to the Almighty God, glorifying His goodness, and leading many from the soul-destroying path and on the path of salvation, teaching you to sing to the Creator and Provider: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
You have trampled everything in this world, and having come to hate this useless humility, you have taught our souls this, holy and faithful Tamara, for such your goodness accept our everlasting veneration:
Rejoice, O valiant despiser of the world and all its sweets, beauties and charms. Rejoice, stewards of meekness and abstinence. Rejoice, you who save yourself by silence and by eliminating yourself from the world. Rejoice, you who do not put soft and light robes on yourself. Rejoice, you who, instead of choosing food, have risen by fasting for many days and by mortification of the body. Rejoice, instead of the royal sweet drink, you have drunk yourself with heartfelt tears.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 10
Although you mercifully expect to save many, all conversion and salvation, the Most Merciful God will show you to the country of Iveron, as a champion of orthodoxy, stirring us with a pure heart to sing to you and to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The wall is solid and a strong fence has appeared, holy and faithful Tamara, giving a helping hand to all who zealously come to you, and for such your benevolence we reward you with the song:
Rejoice, ambulance to the needy. Rejoice, O merciful nurse of the hungry. Rejoice, clothing and shelter for those deprived of clothing and shelter. Rejoice, wise healer of those aggravated by illnesses. Rejoice, speedy banisher of all misfortunes and sorrows. Rejoice, warm protector who flows to you with faith.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 11
We bring you singing, holy great blessed Tamara, to glorify your deeds and labors, but we, seeing God’s will, bring you this small prayer of ours from all sins and defilements with your prayers, and every day and hour with a pure heart we sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Filled with God's grace and glorified from the country of Iveron, the great holy, blessed queen, pray to God for us sinners who truly glorify you with love:
Rejoice, performer of all virtues. Rejoice, beautiful and wonderful dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, you are a fertilized receptacle for all Godly deeds. Rejoice, you who have pleased the Creator and God well in your temporary life. Rejoice, you who had national glory during your lifetime. Rejoice, having prepared yourself perfectly for the end of this temporary and difficult life. Rejoice, you who have entered into the heavenly dwelling and are numbered among the saints.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 12
The All-Bountiful God has given you grace from His treasures, for your valiant diligence and deeds, as you have been pleasing and kind to God, and have received endless reward for yourself in the heavenly villages, constantly singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your victory over the Muslim coalition and the silent care of everyday life, we praise your painful labors and exploits, we honor all-night vigils and prayers, chanting:
Rejoice, you who have become like an Angel in heavenly glory. Rejoice, numbered among the faithful. Rejoice, having gained participation and inheritance with all the saints who have pleased God well. Rejoice, you who are filled with the sweet and blessed things of the Most Holy Trinity. Rejoice, thou who hast righteously merited the ineffable blessings prepared for the righteous from time immemorial.
Rejoice, holy great blessed Tamara, warrior of the Christian faith.
Kontakion 13
Oh, holy great blessed Tamara! Accept this prayer of ours, offered by us, unworthy, out of love. Keep us safe from all enemy slander and attacks and in the long life of us who flow to you with faith and love, deliver us from all troubles, sorrows and misfortunes, so that we may sing gratefully about you to our God and Savior: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1st, kontakion 1st.)
Prayer 1
Oh, holy, great and faithful 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.
Prayer 2
Oh, holy Queen Tamara!
Do not forget us, but remember in Your holy prayers the servant of God (name), pray for us, holy queen. Do not give up on us in spirit, save us from the arrows of the enemy, from the charms of demons and the snares of the devil. Ask us time to repent and freely pass from earth to heaven through the ordeals of bitter demons, so that through your intercession we will be freed from eternal torment, Heavenly Kingdom We will be deemed worthy to inherit with all the righteous from the ages who have pleased Christ our Lord. To Him is due all glory, honor and worship, now and to the endless ages of ages. Amen.
Brief life of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
Saint Tamara (1184–1213), Georgian queen, was the daughter of George III from the beautiful Burdukhan. Under her mother, Christianity had already spread to different parts of Georgia. Tamara left a good memory of herself among the people. Some Georgian tribes revere Tamara as a healer of ailments.
Georgian legends glorify her meekness, peacefulness, wisdom, religiosity and beauty. It is also known that Saint Tamara cared for the poor people, widows, orphans and contributed to the spiritual development of Georgia. In addition, she patronized poets and writers, built many temples, as well as the luxurious Vardzia Palace. For her care and generous gifts, the church canonized Tamara as a saint.
Saint Tamara convened a church council, which eliminated the troubles in church life and removed unworthy hierarchs. Her state activities were also successful, thanks to which the Georgian kingdom increased and became stronger.
The Complete Life of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
Saint Tamara came from the noble Bagration family, which, according to legend, went back to King David himself. Her father George proclaimed his daughter queen in 1178. 7 years later he died. From that moment the reign of the saint began.
When Saint Tamara ascended the throne, she said: “I am the father of orphans and the mother of widows.” This phrase defined her entire reign.
The author of Tamara’s biography left the following description of the young queen: “Properly built body, dark eye color and pink color of white cheeks; a shy look, a pleasant tongue, cheerful and alien to any swagger, speech that delights the ear, a conversation alien to any depravity.”
The queen began her reign with personnel changes. She removed rulers and military leaders who abused their power and appointed others in their place. She freed the Church from taxation and eased the lot of the peasants.
In 1185, the patriarch proposed marriage to the ruler. For this purpose, an embassy was sent to Russia. Soon it returned along with George, the son of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Tamara assured her entourage that the wedding should be postponed. After all, you still need to understand what kind of person he is. But the courtiers insisted on their own. Unfortunately, the wise queen’s fears came true. Georgy turned out to be partial to alcohol, committing “many indecent things.” For two and a half years, Tamara endured his rude treatment, trying in every possible way to reason with her husband. It was all in vain. She had to separate from her husband.
For a long time, the saint thought of remaining a widow while her husband was alive, but for the sake of an heir she agreed to remarry - to the Ossetian prince David. This marriage turned out to be happy, and soon Georgia saw its future ruler.
During the reign of Saint Tamara, the country reached the peak of its glory and power. The queen was a fair judge. Her hard work, talent for government, and Christian compassion predetermined the “Golden Age” of Georgia.
She successfully stopped the invasion of Caliph Abu Bakr, who, having gathered a huge army from India, hoped to profit from the riches of Georgia. The same fate befell another invader, Sultan Rukn ad-Din.
Immediately after her accession to the throne, Tamara paid close attention to the organization of a single liturgical charter and church canon. She called on all theologically educated people, experts in the Law of God, bishops and priests to come to the city of Kartli. A general council was soon held here, at which the queen herself was present.
Before her death, Queen Tamara managed to complete all necessary government affairs and make decisions on major church and monastic issues. Suddenly she was overtaken by an unknown illness. The doctors were powerless. The whole country begged for their queen, but on January 18, 1213, the great ruler died peacefully.
There is still debate among historians and archaeologists about the exact burial place of Saint Tamara.
Tamara is a Russian derivative name from the biblical "Tamar". Translated as " date palm».
Memorial Days:
Holy Blessed QueenTamara the Great (1166–1213)
When Saint Tamara ascended the throne, she said: “I am the father of orphans and the mother of widows.” This phrase defined her entire reign.
Tamara came from the noble Bagration family, which, according to legend, dates back to King David himself.
Her father George proclaimed his daughter queen in 1178. 7 years later he died. From that moment the reign of the saint began.
The author of Tamara’s biography left the following description of the young queen: “Properly built body, dark eye color and pink color of white cheeks; shy look<…>pleasant language, cheerful and alien to any swagger, speech that delights the ear, conversation alien to any depravity.”
The queen began her reign with personnel changes. She removed rulers and military leaders who abused their power and appointed others in their place. She freed the Church from taxation and eased the lot of the peasants.
In 1185, the patriarch proposed marriage to the ruler. For this purpose, an embassy was sent to Rus'. Soon it returned along with George, the son of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Tamara assured her circle that the wedding should be postponed. After all, you still need to understand what kind of person he is. But the courtiers insisted on their own. Unfortunately, the wise queen’s fears came true. Georgy turned out to be partial to alcohol, committing “many indecent things.” For two and a half years, Tamara endured his rude treatment, trying in every possible way to reason with her husband. It was all in vain. She had to separate from her husband.
For a long time, the saint thought of remaining a widow while her husband was alive, but for the sake of an heir she agreed to remarry - to the Ossetian prince David. This marriage turned out to be happy, and soon Georgia saw its future ruler.
During the reign of Saint Tamara, the country reached the peak of its glory and power. The queen was a fair judge. Her hard work, talent for government, and Christian compassion predetermined the “Golden Age” of Georgia.
She successfully stopped the invasion of Caliph Abu Bakr, who, having gathered a huge army from India, hoped to profit from the riches of Georgia. The same fate befell another invader - Sultan Rukn ad-Din.
Immediately after her accession to the throne, Tamara paid close attention to the organization of a single liturgical charter and church canon. She called on all theologically educated people, experts in the Law of God, bishops and priests to come to the city of Kartli. A general council was soon held here, at which the queen herself was present.
Before her death, Queen Tamara managed to complete all necessary government affairs and make decisions on major church and monastic issues. Suddenly she was overtaken by an unknown illness. The doctors were powerless. The whole country begged for their queen, but on January 18, 1213, the great ruler died peacefully.
There is still debate among historians and archaeologists about the exact burial place of Saint Tamara.
Other saints named Tamara:
Venerable Martyr Tamara (Provorkina)
(1880–1937) - born in the Ryazan province into the family of a priest. From the age of 15 she labored in a monastery in Ivanovo-Voznesensk. After the revolution and the closure of the monastery, she and the abbess worked at the Children's Commission for the Deaf and Mutes. In 1932, Tamara was arrested on charges of “anti-Soviet agitation.” However, due to a lack of materials, she was released. The re-arrest resulted in a five-year exile. On December 15, 1937, nun Tamara was shot.
Venerable Martyr Tamara (Satsi)
(1876–1942) - in the world Maria, born in the Estonian province into a Lutheran family. The saint was left without parents at an early age and was raised in a shelter for orphan girls at the women's Orthodox community in Ievve. In 1917, in the Kozmodemyansky Trinity Monastery of the Kazan diocese, Maria took monastic vows with the name Tamara. She became the head of the Cheboksary Vladimir women's community, which was soon transformed into a monastery. In 1930 it was closed. The former abbess was arrested in 1941 on suspicion of espionage. Based on false evidence, she was sentenced to ten years in the camps. The next year, while logging, she died of heart disease.
Famous women named Tamara:
Tamara Makarovna Nosova
(1927–2007) - People's Artist of Russia, one of the most famous comic actresses of the Soviet era. She starred in such films as “Carnival Night” (Tosya Burygina), “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors” (Aunt Aksal), “Wedding in Malinovka” (Komarikha), “The Marriage of Balzaminov” (Nichkina), “Hello, I am your aunt!” (Donna Rosa).
Tamara Mikhailovna Gverdtsiteli
(born 1962) - Georgian pop singer. In the 1970s she was a soloist in the Mziuri children's ensemble. The songs “Music” and “Blossom, My Land” brought fame to the young singer. In 1988, Tamara won the Golden Orpheus competition. People's Artist of the Georgian SSR (1991), People's Artist of the Russian Federation (2004). Currently, he continues to participate in a number of creative projects.
Interesting Facts:
1. The name Tamara is mentioned at the very beginning of the books of the New Testament. The Old Testament righteous woman Tamar (in the Russian tradition - Tamara) is one of four women who was included by the Evangelist Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1 :3).
2. The famous author of the poetic work “The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin,” Shota Rustaveli, according to one legend, was hopelessly in love with Queen Tamara. Some researchers believe that the entire poem was dedicated to the saint.
Shota Rustaveli and Queen Tamara. Niko Pirosmani
3. During the reign of Saint Tamara, the magnificent Geguta Palace was built, the remains of which have survived to this day. In addition, during her reign the construction of Vardzia, a cave monastery complex in the south of the country, was completed.
Photo of the Vardzia monastery and frescoes – Yulia Makoveychuk
4. The reign of Tamara became one of the most peaceful and humane in the history of Georgia. During the 31 years of her reign, no one was punished even with a whip.
Georgian coins with the names of Queen Tamara and King David
5. Princess Tamara is one of the main characters of the famous poem “The Demon” by M. Yu. Lermontov. It is she who is visited by the “evil spirit” and then declares his love. The Princess responds to this impulse and dies in the arms of the Demon.
6. Asteroid (326) Tamara, discovered in 1892, is named in honor of Saint Tamara.
More than 800 years have passed since this amazing holy ruler of Iberia passed away to the Lord.
We present to your attention a biography of the holy Queen Tamara, prepared based on extremely interesting Georgian chronicles.
In Georgia, the people have exceptional love for two holy wives - Equal to the Apostles Nina 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 that the Georgians found their best ruler, fair and merciful, not femininely wise, but angelically judicious. And most importantly, it was in her that they found an eternal, vigilant prayer book and representative at the Throne of God until the Last Judgment.
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 Blessed Queen TamaraHoly 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.
After 7 years, on Holy Week 1184, the father died, and representatives of the highest nobility came to Tamara so that she, being “conscious, intelligent and knowledgeable in mind,” would take the kingdom into her own hands. The author of “Life...” describes the young queen this way: “Properly built body, dark eye color and pink color of white cheeks; a shy look, ... pleasant language, cheerful and alien to any swagger, speech that delights the ear, conversation alien to any depravity.”
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 their 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 merits or demerits.” 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 of 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 tried twice more after that to regain the Georgian throne, but each time he was defeated by vassals loyal to Tamara.
State achievements
The reign of the holy, blessed Queen Tamara 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 the dissemination of a decree so that an army would immediately gather, all-night vigils and litias would be held in all churches and monasteries, and the courtiers would send “more money and everything needed 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 came 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 , Great 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: “Having entrusted myself to Almighty God 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.
It is interesting that through the efforts of Queen Tamara, the entire Trebizond Empire was established, which appeared in 1204 after the sack of Constantinople by the crusaders. As you know, Saint Tamara patronized monasteries and churches 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 even greater quantities of gold to the reverend fathers.
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 the improvement of God's churches. In the palace itself, vigils and prayers were continuously served, and the Bloodless Sacrifice was offered. During this period, the churches of Ikorta, Betania, 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 Vardzia 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, little known to Russian readers, who wrote “Tamariani” and “Abdul-Messiah,” everyone is familiar with the most famous Georgian poetic work, “The Knight in the Skin of a Tiger.” 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 state affairs and managed them, then she managed 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 shed equally from 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.”
On January 18, the patron saint of the Georgian people died peacefully and quietly. “The sun of Georgia went out,” and the joy of the Georgians gave way to grief, “their lips became like the land, deprived of salt.”
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 desire.
Moral qualities of the 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 the Monk 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 inner 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 blessings - she was imbued with fear of the Almighty and served God faithfully. The prayers 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. Before her there were always people who followed the rules of a 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! Amen
TO QUEEN TAMAR
Troparion, tone 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.
Another troparion, tone 4
In the wondrous saints, / Iberia was a luminary, / faithful to Queen Tamaro, / who erected temples on the high mountains, / so that in them prayers were sent to the Lord, / with your prayers, who gave strength to the howl of the Christ-loving people of the country of Iveronia, / with her right hand she overthrew the Hagaryan hordes, / pray to Christ God / save our souls.
Saint Tamara (1184–1213), Georgian queen, was the daughter of George III from the beautiful Burdukhan. Under her mother, Christianity had already spread to different parts Georgia. Tamara left a good memory of herself among the people. Some Georgian tribes revere Tamara as a healer of ailments.
Georgian legends glorify her meekness, peacefulness, wisdom, religiosity and beauty. It is also known that Saint Tamara cared for the poor people, widows, orphans and contributed to the spiritual development of Georgia. In addition, she patronized poets and writers, built many temples, as well as the luxurious Vardzia Palace. For her care and generous gifts, the church canonized Tamara as a saint.
Saint Tamara convened a church council, which eliminated the troubles in church life and removed unworthy hierarchs. She was also successful government activity, thanks to which the Georgian kingdom increased and strengthened.
The Complete Life of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
Saint Tamara came from the noble Bagration family, which, according to legend, went back to King David himself. Her father George proclaimed his daughter queen in 1178. 7 years later he died. From that moment the reign of the saint began.
When Saint Tamara ascended the throne, she said: “I am the father of orphans and the mother of widows.” This phrase defined her entire reign.
The author of Tamara’s biography left the following description of the young queen: “Properly built body, dark eye color and pink color of white cheeks; a shy look, a pleasant tongue, cheerful and alien to any swagger, speech that delights the ear, a conversation alien to any depravity.”
The queen began her reign with personnel changes. She removed rulers and military leaders who abused their power and appointed others in their place. She freed the Church from taxation and eased the lot of the peasants.
In 1185, the patriarch proposed marriage to the ruler. For this purpose, an embassy was sent to Rus'. Soon it returned along with George, the son of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Tamara assured her circle that the wedding should be postponed. After all, you still need to understand what kind of person he is. But the courtiers insisted on their own. Unfortunately, the wise queen’s fears came true. Georgy turned out to be partial to alcohol, committing “many indecent things.” For two and a half years, Tamara endured his rude treatment, trying in every possible way to reason with her husband. It was all in vain. She had to separate from her husband.
For a long time, the saint thought of remaining a widow while her husband was alive, but for the sake of an heir she agreed to remarry - to the Ossetian prince David. This marriage turned out to be happy, and soon Georgia saw its future ruler.
During the reign of Saint Tamara, the country reached the peak of its glory and power. The queen was a fair judge. Her hard work, talent for government, and Christian compassion predetermined the “Golden Age” of Georgia.
She successfully stopped the invasion of Caliph Abu Bakr, who, having gathered a huge army from India, hoped to profit from the riches of Georgia. The same fate befell another invader, Sultan Rukn ad-Din.
Immediately after her accession to the throne, Tamara paid close attention to the organization of a single liturgical charter and church canon. She called on all theologically educated people, experts in the Law of God, bishops and priests to come to the city of Kartli. A general council was soon held here, at which the queen herself was present.
Before her death, Queen Tamara managed to complete all necessary government affairs and make decisions on major church and monastic issues. Suddenly she was overtaken by an unknown illness. The doctors were powerless. The whole country begged for their queen, but on January 18, 1213, the great ruler died peacefully.
There is still debate among historians and archaeologists about the exact burial place of Saint Tamara.
Orthodox magazine "Thomas"
Note
Tamara is a Russian derivative name from the biblical “Tamar”. Translated as “date palm”.
Troparion of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
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.
Troparion of Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
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 and faithful 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 establish true love for God in our hearts and make it 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.