11th century (died 1082)
A Georgian monk, translator, calligrapher, and theologian who labored at the Iveron monastery on Athos and later served as bishop of Ninotsminda.
Our Father among the Saints Arsenius, Bishop of Ninotsminda
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.
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Arsenius,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
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.
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.
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