Euthymius of Athos

Euthymius the Athonite (ექვთიმე ათონელი) A 13th-century fresco of Euthymius from the Akhtala monastery Born c. 955 AD Died c. 1024 AD Era Ancient philosophy Region Western Philosophy Main interests Theology, Art, Literature, Canon Law Notable ideas sibrdzne balavarisa

Euthymius the Athonite (Georgian: ექვთიმე ათონელი Ekvtime Atoneli) (c. 955 – 1028) was a renowned Georgian philosopher and scholar, also known as Eufimius the Abasgian or St. Euthymius the Georgian. His feast day in the Orthodox Church is May 13.

The son of Ioane Varaz-vache Chordvaneli and nephew of the great Tornike Eristavi, Euthymius was taken as a hostage to Constantinople but was later released and became a monk joining the Great Lavra of Athanasios on Mount Athos. He subsequently became the leader of the Georgian Iviron monastery and emerged as one of the finest Eastern Christian theologians and scholars of his age. Fluent in Georgian, Greek and other languages, he translated many religious treatises and philosophical works. Among his major works was the translation of sibrdzne balavarisa (Wisdom of Balahvari), a Christianized version of episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha that became very popular in Medieval Europe as the story of Barlaam and Josaphat. Of equal importance was Euthymius’ work to prepare Georgian translations of various Greek philosophical, ecclesiastical and legal discourses.

Sources

• Theodor Dowling, Sketches of Georgian Church History, Adamant Media Corporation (October 9, 2003), ISBN 1-4212-2891-2