Byzantine Saints: Martyr Ashot Curapalati, King of Artanuji (29 January)

About this sermon

Saint Ashot Curapalati, King of Artanuji and the first Bagratid ruler of Georgia, is commemorated by the Georgian Orthodox Church on January 29. Ascending the throne in 786, Ashot dedicated his life to the reunification of Georgia, the defense of Orthodox Christianity, and the restoration of lands devastated by Arab invasions. From his early victories against Muslim forces in Tbilisi, to his miraculous survival near Lake Paravani, and his decisive choice to remain in Clarjeti, Saint Ashot proved not only a courageous ruler but a deeply God-fearing man. He rebuilt Artanuji Castle, founded cities, constructed churches, and worked closely with Saint Grigol of Khandzta, transforming the wilderness into a thriving spiritual center filled with monasteries, schools, and churches. Despite falling briefly into sin, King Ashot repented sincerely, returning fully to God and his people. His life ended in martyrdom, when traitors betrayed him and he was murdered at the altar inside a church, slain like a sacrificial lamb. His blood, according to tradition, remained upon the altar, sealing his witness to Christ. Saint Ashot Curapalati stands as a model of repentance, kingship, humility, and sacrifice, and as the foundation upon which the Georgian Bagratid dynasty was established. ☦️ “Blessed is the man who is no longer alive to this world.” — Saint Ashot Curapalati 0:00 – Introduction: Saint Ashot Curapalati 0:22 – Accession to the Throne of Kartli (786) 0:33 – Campaign for the Reunification of Georgia 0:39 – Expulsion of Arab Forces from Tbilisi 0:47 – Renewed Muslim Invasion & Flight from Kartli 1:01 – Miracle at Lake Paravani 1:30 – Settlement in Clarjeti 1:35 – Epidemic & Restoration of Southern Georgia 1:51 – Rebuilding Artanuji Castle 2:06 – Founding of the Bagratid Royal Residence 2:21 – Spiritual Revival with Saint Grigol of Khandzta 2:33 – Clarjeti Becomes a Center of Monastic Life 2:44 – Saint Ashot’s God-Fearing Leadership 3:00 – Support of Monasteries & Monastic Lands 3:37 – The King’s Fall into Sin 3:56 – Rebuke by Saint Grigol & Repentance 4:29 – Return Toward Kartli 4:31 – Betrayal and Muslim Invasion 4:54 – Martyrdom at the Altar 5:16 – Legacy of the First Bagratid King 5:39 – Burial of the Holy Relics https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SensusFidelium.TV - https://sensusfidelium.tv/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 Please "Like" our videos so that Youtube shares it to others by clicking the "Like" thumbs-up under the video = 👍🏻 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #SaintAshotCurapalati #OrthodoxSaints #GeorgianOrthodox #ChristianMartyr #BagratidDynasty #HistoryOfGeorgia #OrthodoxChristianity #SaintsLives #EasternOrthodox #ChristianHistory

Topics

• Suffering & Trials