THE NATIONAL ELEMENT IN THE LITERALY IMAGE OF THE GEORGIAN HAGIOGRAPHICAL HERO
Abstract
The research concerns the function of the national element in Georgian hagiography, particularly its role in the process of individualizing and shaping the artistic image of the saint. Typically, hagiographical texts are created according to strict rules, which, on the one hand, require the abstraction of the saint's earthly, individual characteristics and details, and on the other hand, the emphasis and presentation of their Christian virtues. Consequently, the artistic images of the saints are often devoid of individuality.
The study, which is based on hermeneutic and historical-comparative methods, demonstrates that the national element in Georgian hagiographical texts emerges as one of the main elements that creates the hero’s artistic image, imparting vivid, individual traits to the saint’s persona. This is especially evident in the "Life of Grigol Khandzteli", particularly in the episodes of the "Javakheti Council" and his final visit to his own vineyard before his death. In these two segments, the saint is presented as a political figure and an ordinary Georgian man, and not merely as an archimandrite, which provides his artistic image with an untypical, yet profoundly national substance for a hagiographical hero.
In the “Lives” of the Mount Athos Fathers, the translation activity becomes the ideological and thematic core of the compositions. The miraculous healing of Euthymius, including his beginning to speak fluently in Georgian by the Mother of God, confirms that service to the nation (scholarship) is recognized as the divine will. Thus, the national activity is equated with the Christian ascetic endeavor.
Ultimately, the existence of the national element in Georgian hagiography strengthens the artistic images of the Georgian ascetics, grants them expressiveness, and becomes one of the elements that expresses the saint’s individualization.
Key words: Georgian Hagiography; National Element; National Aspect; Literary Image.
