Brothers David and Tarichan

The Brothers David and Tarichan are two Georgian martyrs, sons of the eristavi Vardan and of Tagine, killed in 693 for their faith in Christ. They are commemorated on 18 May, old style (31 May, new style).

Vardan died when the children were small, and Tagine's brother Theodosius, a pagan, seized his estate and wished to turn his nephews and his sister away from the faith: "Leave the faith of the crucified one and hold to mine." Tagine answered that the earthly inheritance was enough for him, but that they could not lose the heavenly inheritance. When he saw that his sister would not yield, Theodosius called the nephews in secret and enticed them with kind words, but the boys answered that the faith of their father was enough for them, which they would hold as long as they had breath. For fear of the Christians, Theodosius did not kill them then and let them go.

Tagine crossed with her sons to Tao, to relatives. Theodosius' anger was not quenched: he sent spies, learned that the brothers were pasturing sheep high on the mountain and, with soldiers, hid in the forest. David recognised his uncle and ran toward him joyfully, and Theodosius pierced him with the sword. Tarichan fled toward the village of Divri, but the pursuers overtook him and killed him. The killers returned to the mountain and found Theodosius blinded; seized with amazement, they could neither speak nor leave. Theodosius repented bitterly. Tagine, coming in lament, said to her brother with grief: "Why have you taken the light of my eyes?" Then, with soil soaked in David's blood, she anointed his eyes, and Theodosius saw again. At night a light descended upon the brothers' bodies. Theodosius asked forgiveness of the catholicos, was baptized and built a church in the name of David; the lord of Divri took Tarichan's relics and built a church in his name.