Memory 30 June (13 July)
The
Russian Church has
preserved chronicles of the life of Queen Dinar, a
woman who achieved much on behalf of the Christian
Faith. For years scholars have disputed about the
historical figure discussed in great depth in the
Russian Church. Many believed that the sources
described Holy Queen Tamar, but the period of
Tamar’s rule does not match that of the figure
described in the chronicles. The Georgian chronicle
Life of Kartli, however, has preserved
information about a certain Dinar, Queen of Hereti
(southeastern Georgia), who, along with her son
Ishkhanik, converted Hereti to the Orthodox Faith and
delivered its people from the Monophysite heresy in the
10th century. Queen Dinar’s story resembles that
recounted in the Russian chronicles more closely than
any other.
According to the Armenian historian Moses of Kalankaytuk,
Slavic tribes that carried out incursions in the
southernmost Caucasus often journeyed through the
Transcaucasus, and it was with these tribes that the story
of Queen Dinar made its way to Russia.
The Georgian Church renders great honor to Holy Queen
Dinar.
As a result of her zealous labors and achievements, a
large part of the eastern Transcaucasus was saved from the
Monophysite heresy that dominated the region.
Today, on the north wall of the Throne Hall in the Moscow
Kremlin, there hangs an image of Holy Queen Dinar mounted
on a white horse, victorious over the enemy.
O Holy and Pious Queen Dinar, entreat Christ God to
have mercy on our souls!
3 августа 2007 г.
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