Nana Mrevlishvili - Full Professor at the University of Georgia;
Doctor of Philological Sciences; Chief Researcher at the Institute of Georgian Studies.
Sophio Guliashvili - Researcher at the Institute of Georgian Studies;
PhD Student at Tbilisi State University.
Tinatin Jiqurashvili - Researcher at the Institute of Georgian Studies;
PhD Student at Tbilisi State University.
A comparative analysis of the Greek and Georgian recensions of the Martyrdom of Babylas of Antioch offers a framework for examining the genesis, narrative function, and redactional transformation of Gospel models. The study draws on the Greek pre-Metaphrastic and Metaphrastic texts, alongside the Georgian pre-Metaphrastic recension and the two Georgian Metaphrastic recensions—the Athonite and Gelati versions. The analysis distinguishes between Gospel quotations, phraseological allusions, and narrative-typological models, examining their role in shaping both the portrayal of the martyr and the theological understanding of martyrdom.
The central focus is the model of the Good Shepherd (John 10:3–5, 11–13), which links Babylas’s episcopal ministry to his martyrdom. In the pre-Metaphrastic text, the duty to protect the flock from an approaching wolf underlies Babylas’s confrontation with Numerian. In the Metaphrastic recension, this model is further developed through the emphasis on his willingness to suffer for the flock and the young martyrs’ fidelity to their teacher. Recognizing the shepherd’s voice and refusing to follow a stranger become narrative expressions of fidelity to the faith.
The study also examines Babylas’s prayer for his oppressor, Emperor Numerian, and his desire for the emperor’s salvation in the context of the commandment to love one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44); the principle of worshipping and serving God in the context of rejecting temptation (Matthew 4:10); and the interpretation of suffering for God through the beatitude of the persecuted and the promise of heavenly reward (Matthew 5:10–12). Particular attention is given to Numerian’s falsehood and his portrayal as a son of the devil in the Greek pre-Metaphrastic text (John 8:44).
The investigation into the models’ genesis considers their Old Testament archetypes, their interpretation in the Gospels, and their subsequent reinterpretation in the hagiographical text. Particularly significant are the formula of worshipping God and the motif of praise from the mouths of children (Psalm 8:3 [LXX]; Matthew 21:16). The study distinguishes direct Gospel references, Gospel interpretations of Old Testament quotations, and typological parallels associated with Gospel contexts.
The comparative analysis demonstrates that redactional transformation involves both the abridgement or omission of individual biblical references and the narrative and theological development of existing models. In this process, Gospel teachings shape the interpretation of Babylas’s responsibility towards his flock, his relationship with Numerian, and his martyrdom.
Keywords: Babylas of Antioch; Gospel models; biblical typology; hagiography; Metaphrasis; Greek–Georgian textual tradition; redactional transformation.
This work was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG) [FR-24-7685, “Corpus of Georgian Translated Hagiography, I”].