Mamai

Saint Mamai was Catholicos of Kartli (about 720-744) and is venerated as a hierarch. His name is in the list of abbots of the Zedazeni monastery, from which it appears that he led the monastery until he was elected to the throne of the primate of the Church of Georgia. One source says that he shepherded the Church between 731 and 744 and that he died a martyr for Christ, in a time when the catholicos and the king were often the first victims of invading armies. Little is known of his life.

He was canonized in antiquity: his name is entered in the Calendar of John-⁠Zosimus of the 10th century (Sinait. iber. 34). He is commemorated on 3 May (old style; 16 May new style).