John the Georgian, Martyr of Baghdad

Holy Martyr John the Georgian, a monk of the Khandzta Monastery, received the crown of martyrdom at Baghdad, probably in the first half of the tenth century. He is venerated as a saint in the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers and Mothers of Klarjeti of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, entered in the calendar on 18 October 2002; he is commemorated on 5 October (old calendar).

News of him is found in the Life of Venerable Gregory of Khandzta, written in 951 by George Merchule. In chapter 82 the author, addressing Gregory, writes: "Then, blessed father, together with your chosen children, whom you will present to Christ, there will rejoice the new martyr of Christ, the beloved John, who from Khandzta reached Jerusalem, killed by the hands of the Saracens at Baghdad for Christ, lit by a sign." Because George calls him a "new martyr," John most probably suffered shortly before the Life was composed. No further details of his martyrdom survive.