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Our father among the [[saint]]s, '''Melchizedek I of Georgia''' was the ruling [[bishop]] of the [[Church of Georgia]] in the early part of the eleventh century, from 1010 to 1033. He is believe to have been the first [[Catholicos]] of Georgia to be honored as Catholicos-Patriarch. He is commemorated on [[October 1]].
==Life==
During his lifetime, Catholicos Melchizedek journeyed several times to Constantinople. Historians believe that during one of the visits the [[patriarch]]s of the East approved “Catholicos-Patriarch” as the official title of the senior hierarch of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church. In his will, he is referred to as “Catholicos-Patriarch”.
Under his leadership, the ancient [[Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Mtskheta, Georgia)|Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]], that dates back to the fourth century, was restored and adorned anew. To help finance the restoration effort, Catholicos Melchizedek included among his visits to Constantinople a visit to Emperor Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer) to raise funds for the restoration of the [[cathedral]]. Generously treated, Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek returned to Georgia and was able to pursue the greatest construction project of that century in Georgia.
In his will, that has been preserved, Melchizedek bequeathed a long list of holy objects, [[monastery|monasteries]], and villages to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. He also specified in his will where he wished to be buried.
[[Category: Bishops]]
[[Category:11th-century bishops]]
[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category: Georgian Saints]]
[[Category: Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia]]
[[Category:11th-century saints]]