Venerable David of Gareji: how the Georgian saint saved deer, partridges and peopletranslated
The formidable hunter Boubacar turned his horse towards the monk. A monk in black robes and with a clear gaze stood at the cave under the rock and calmly watched the rider. At the monk’s feet sat a small, ruffled partridge. A hawk perched on a nearby rock. He had just scared away the bird, but now he was afraid of the man and did not dare to attack it.
The hunter approached the monk almost closely. He looked up at the rider—there was no fear in his eyes, they shone with kindness and wisdom:
- Please, let this bird live.
The hunter grinned:
- Stupid old man! I want to kill you, and you tell me to leave the bird alive. You should ask for yourself, not for a partridge.
“You have no power to kill not only me, but also this weak bird,” answered the monk. - God is my helper and He will deliver me from your threats.
The enraged horseman swung his sword at the hermit and... then something incredible happened!
What happened to the hunter? With what strength was the monk able to hold him? And how did the hermit himself end up here, in the bare desert mountains? Let's find out...
Syrians in Iberia
It was a very long time ago - fifteen centuries ago, in the sixth century after the birth of Christ. Thirteen monks from an ancient country...
