Description
Behold the Sun of Iberia: The Life and Akathist of the Holy Queen Tamara
Step into the world of one of Orthodoxy’s most revered royal saints with this definitive English translation of the Life and Akathist of the Holy and Right-Believing Queen Tamara of Georgia. The inaugural volume in The Orthodox Christian Treasury series, this work unveils the awe-inspiring story of a saint whose wisdom, piety, and God-given authority forged an empire of faith.
An Authentic Treasure Unearthed for the English-Speaking World
For over 800 years, one text has stood as the primary, most authoritative account of St. Tamara’s reign: the Life of the Queen of Queens, Tamara. Written by a contemporary chronicler shortly after her holy repose, this work is more than just a history; it is a foundational pillar of Georgian Orthodox identity. For centuries, it was through this cherished chronicle that the people of Georgia came to know and love their holy queen, seeing in its pages the authentic voice of their nation’s glorious Golden Age.
Until now, this spiritual treasure has remained largely inaccessible to the English-speaking faithful, available only in academic translations.
We are very pleased to present the first-ever complete translation of this unabridged chronicle prepared by Orthodox Christians, for Orthodox Christians. This is not simply a modern retelling; it is an unearthing of the authentic voice of St. Tamara’s era so that you can finally encounter her not through the filter of modern summaries, but rather as pious Georgians read about her in the centuries after her blessed repose.
A Queen Crowned by God, A Defender of the Cross
In this ancient and authoritative Life, you will witness:
- The Authentic Portrait of a Saint: Read the complete, unabridged first Orthodox English translation of The Life of the Queen of Queens, Tamara. Discover how this queen of unparalleled power considered herself the “poorest of all people,” prayed barefoot for her armies, and secretly labored with her own hands to clothe the clergy and the poor.
- A Pillar of Orthodox Governance: See through the eyes of a contemporary how she established justice, abolished cruel punishments, and ruled not by fear, but by a wisdom that brought peace and prosperity to her kingdom.
- Victories Won by Prayer: Experience the stirring, primary-source accounts of the Battles of Shamkori and Basiani, where St. Tamara’s tearful vigils and unwavering faith called down the power of God to scatter innumerable heathen hosts.
- A Monastic on the Throne: Learn from the original text how this mighty sovereign lived a hidden life of intense asceticism, sleeping on stone, following a monastic prayer rule, and turning her court into a house of piety.
- The Humbling of Sultans: Marvel at the historical accounts of her humbling the pride of God-fighters, including the Caliph of Baghdad and the Sultan of Rum, whose amirs were brought captive before her.
- A Blessed and Holy Repose: Witness the sanctity of her final days as recorded by one who lived in her time, her moving last words to her people, and her peaceful falling asleep in the Lord.
From Veneration to Prayerful Communion: The Included Georgian Akathist Hymn
Deepen your devotion to this great saint through the included, newly translated Akathist Hymn to St. Tamara, taken from authentic Georgian Orthodox sources. This beautiful hymn of praise and supplication, presented in a universal format for all Orthodox Christians, allows you to:
- Magnify Her Virtues: Join in glorifying her royal majesty, her motherly compassion, her ascetic struggles, and her God-given victories.
- Seek Her Intercession: Entreat St. Tamara for her heavenly aid in your own spiritual battles, for the protection of the Church, and for strength in living a life of piety.
- A Treasure for Personal & Communal Prayer: A valuable resource for private devotion or for use in church services on her feast days (May 1st, and the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers).
Beautifully Presented for Reading & Reflection
This digital edition has been carefully prepared to enhance your reading experience:
- Clear, Readable Font: Size 12 font used for the main text of the Life for comfortable reading.
- Elegant Page Design: Each page of the A4 PDF version is graced with an elegant decorative border, reflecting traditional Orthodox book aesthetics and making it suitable for printing.
- Inspiring Graphics: The PDF includes beautiful sketched images.
- Formatted for Clarity: Ample line spacing and thoughtful layout across both formats.
Flexible Digital Formats Included (PDF + EPUB Ebook)
Your single, DRM-free purchase provides instant access to two carefully prepared files:
- PDF Version: Preserves the beautiful, fixed layout with borders and graphics, ideal for printing, reading on tablets, or desktop study.
- EPUB Ebook Version: Standard reflowable ebook format, perfect for comfortable reading on Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Android e-readers, and other devices, allowing you to customize font sizes and display.
Support Authentic Orthodox Monastic Life & Craftsmanship
Nestled in Boetia, Greece, the Sacred Monastery of St. John of the Ladder is home to a small brotherhood dedicated to prayer and the preservation of traditional Orthodox monastic handiwork. Devastated by an earthquake in 1999, our monks rebuilt our monastery through unwavering faith and diligent labor, supporting ourselves entirely through our craft. By purchasing this digital publication, you receive an invaluable spiritual treasure while directly supporting our brotherhood in our mission to keep ancient Orthodox Christian traditions alive. Your support helps us continue our life of prayer and service.
Download your copy today and be inspired by the holy life, powerful reign, and fervent intercessions of the Right-Believing Queen Tamara of Georgia!
