Philemon (Karbelashvili)

Holy Priest and Confessor Philemon (Karbelashvili) was the eldest of the five Karbelashvili brothers. He was born in 1836 at Kvemo Chala, the son of the priest Grigol, and was taught first at home, then at the seminary in Tbilisi. He returned to his native village in 1860, on his ordination, and began a fruitful ministry. It is said that he served the Liturgy accompanied by the chanting of his brothers in such a way that the church was filled beyond capacity with people from Samtavisi and the surrounding villages.

He was also a teacher: he opened a village school in which he taught Georgian history, chanting, reading, writing and arithmetic. He was regarded as exemplary as preacher, chanter and educator, and he knew Ilia Chavchavadze. He died in 1879 and was buried in the churchyard of Samtavisi Cathedral, where his grave can be visited. The Church of Georgia canonized him, together with his brothers, on 20 December 2011.