John the Iberian

The Venerable John the Iberian was a Georgian monk, one of the founders of the Iviron monastery on Mount Athos, who died around 1002 (according to one source, 998). He is venerated as a saint for his piety and his role as a guide. His feast is on 12 July.

He came from a noble Georgian family of Tao-⁠Klarjeti, in southern Georgia. He was married and served as a military commander. In the early 960s, after inner changes, he was tonsured at the lavra of the Four Churches in Tao-⁠Klarjeti. Seeking spiritual guidance, he went to Mount Olympus in Bithynia (modern Uludağ), a noted centre of Byzantine monasticism, then to Constantinople, to free his son, Euthymius the Illuminator, held hostage by the Byzantine emperor. John and Euthymius quickly attracted disciples through piety and leadership, and then went to the monastery of Saint Athanasius, on Athos, the most important centre of Orthodox monasticism. Together with John's brother-⁠in-⁠law, the retired general John Tornikios, they founded the Iviron monastery, a centre of Georgian monastic culture on Athos. John was its first abbot and cared for its spiritual life, order and culture. Under his guidance the monastery became a place of Georgian art, manuscript copying and liturgical scholarship, strengthening the ties between the Georgian and Byzantine religious communities.

John was regarded as a saint even in his lifetime and was greatly honoured by both Georgians and Greeks. Saint Athanasius of Athos wrote of him. His part in founding and strengthening the monastic tradition on Athos was recognised by his contemporaries. Hymns were composed in his honour, two of which, from the first half of the twelfth century, survive. He served the Iviron community until his death. The Church commemorates him on 12 July; the Serbian Church honours him on 13 May with Euthymius and George.