Saint Hierarch Martyr Anthimos the Iberian, Metropolitan of Wallachia, Founder of the Romanian Language and Wise Promoter of Printing in the Georgian Space

Abstract

Within the medieval horizon, the holy hierarch and martyr Anthim the Iberian (1650-1716) holds a distinguished place among the eminent figures who made a vast contribution both from an ecclesial standpoint and in terms of the cultural edification of the Romanian people.

Originating from Iviria (present-day Georgia), Saint Anthim the Iberian was "Romanian by destiny and devotion". He established himself in the consciousness of the Romanian Orthodox Church through his hierarchical ministry, through his essential contribution to the development of the Romanian liturgical language, and through his rich activity as a printer. His work extends beyond the "boundaries" of theology and encompasses fields such as printing, moral literature, homiletics, pedagogy, and national consciousness.

He was a true "apostle of the word" who assumed, with discernment, the mission of preaching the Gospel in the language of the people. This is why the honour and memory of Saint Anthim the Iberian in Romanian theology and culture rest upon the efforts made by this worthy metropolitan so that the Romanian language would become a liturgical language, so that the book would serve as an instrument of evangeli­zation, and so that identity consciousness would take root through the written and spoken word. The repercussions of these considerable efforts also reached Georgian soil.