PhD in Philology
Visiting Lecturer
Caucasus University
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: 0009-0009-3964-6283
siradzeketevan@gmail.com

Faith and Educational Contribution of King David IV the Builder

In his letter “David the Builder,” Ilia Chavchavadze writes: “A man must have two names, our people say: one for what is to be defended here, the other to be taken along. This testament of the Georgian people was fulfilled by no one as by King David.” According to Ilia Abuladze’s dictionary, the term aghshena signifies building, construction, filling with virtue, and renewal.

The Georgian people attributed this title to David IV not only because he physically built the country, but also because he spiritually “rebuilt” it, revived national consciousness, and restored the nation to the path of its forefathers. King David drew inspiration from King David the Psalmist, considered a biblical ancestor of the Bagrationi dynasty by historical tradition.

David’s spiritual kinship is evident in his original work Galobani Sinanulisani, imbued with psalmodic penitence. The lion depicted on the coats of arms of Georgian kings symbolizes victory. Belief in divine support empowered David’s army to overcome even a stronger enemy, exemplified in the Battle of Didgori, where his forces defeated the united Muslim army.

Education played a central role in the country’s revival. David IV established the Gelati Academy — “Athens and the Second Jerusalem” — and sent talented youth abroad for study. Recognizing human resources as the most valuable asset for national development, he invited the finest scholars from around the world and utilized their potential for the service of Georgia.

Keywords: David IV the Builder, David the Psalmist, Galobani Sinanulisani, Gelati Academy