Our Father among the Saints Arsenius, Bishop of Ninotsminda
Life
Arsenius of Ninotsminda (Arsen Ninotsmindeli, died 1082) was a Georgian bishop, monk, translator, calligrapher, and theologian of the eleventh century. He is venerated as a saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Tonsured a monk in Jerusalem, he later returned to Georgia and was consecrated bishop of Ninotsminda. Drawn to a contemplative life, he resigned his see and joined the Georgian community at the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos, where he assisted in the translation of Scripture and theological literature. He is commemorated on July 31.
Timeline 5 moments
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11th centuryMonastic tonsure in JerusalemArsenius was tonsured a monk in Jerusalem. He was subsequently active at the Otkhta monastery in the region of Tao-Klarjeti.
11th centuryBishop of NinotsmindaHe returned to Georgia, where he was consecrated bishop of Ninotsminda.
11th centuryResignation of the seeLonging for a life of solitude, Arsenius petitioned King Davit Kuropalates for permission to resign from his episcopal position. The king granted the request, and Arsenius set out for monastic life together with John Grdzeslidze, a man of letters.
11th centuryIveron Monastery, Mount AthosSaints John the Iberian and Euthymius (Ekvtime) of Athos invited Arsenius and his companion to the Georgian Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos. There Arsenius assisted Saint Ekvtime in his translations of the Holy Scriptures and many theological books, laboring for many years.
1082Repose and burialArsenius reposed peacefully at an advanced age on Mount Athos. He was initially buried at the monastery's church of Saint Simeon the Stylite. Saint George the Hagiorite (George of the Holy Mountain) later translated his relics to the ossuary of the monastery's catholicon, near the grave of Euthymius.
Contributions & Legacy
2 contributions
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Scholar and Translator
Arsenius is remembered as a brilliant translator, writer, calligrapher, and theologian. At the Iveron Monastery he assisted Saint Euthymius (Ekvtime) of Athos in rendering the Holy Scriptures and numerous theological works into Georgian, contributing to the monastery's role as a major center of Georgian literary and translation activity.
His earlier monastic career included activity at the Otkhta monastery in Tao-Klarjeti before his journey to Mount Athos.
Relics & Shrines
Following his repose on Mount Athos, Arsenius was first buried at the Iveron Monastery's church of Saint Simeon the Stylite. Saint George the Hagiorite subsequently transferred his relics to the ossuary of the monastery's catholicon, where they were laid near the resting place of Euthymius of Athos.
His companions & kin
Abbot of the Iveron Monastery whom Arsenius assisted in translating Scripture and theological works.
Euthymius of Athos (Ekvtime)
Founder of the Georgian Iveron Monastery who, with Euthymius, invited Arsenius to Mount Athos.
John the Iberian
Later figure of the Iveron Monastery who translated Arsenius's relics to the catholicon's ossuary.
George the Hagiorite
Georgian man of letters who accompanied Arsenius from Georgia to the monastic life.
John Grdzeslidze
Notes
Not Arsenius the Great.
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints