Saint Euthymius Takaishvili

A life of faith

Euthymius, also known as Ekvtime Takaishvili, devoted his scholarly life to preserving Georgia's history and sacred heritage. He established a museum for manuscripts and church objects, organized research, and helped found Tbilisi University. After the Georgian government went into exile, he accompanied the national treasures to France and guarded them through poverty and war. He resisted attempts to disperse the collection and returned with it to Georgia in 1945. Later repression restricted his teaching and isolated him before his death in 1953. His commemoration remembers faithful stewardship of a community's inheritance, maintained when safeguarding that trust brought deprivation rather than personal reward.

The Eastern Orthodox Church remembers saints in prayer and commemoration. Their lives offer examples for Christians learning to live their faith.

A reflection

Consider a resource entrusted to your care that belongs to a wider community. Euthymius's stewardship asks what faithfulness requires when preservation offers little personal benefit.

Read the Orthodox source

Feast dates follow the linked source. Local calendars and commemorations may vary. Themes describe a saint’s life; quiz suggestions do not assign a baptismal patron. Discuss choosing a patron saint with your priest.