Iakob Tsurtaveli

Iakob Tsurtaveli, also known as Jacob the Priest (იაკობ ხუცესი, Iakob Khutsesi), was a prominent figure in the fifth century, hailing from Tsurtavi, a significant town in Gogarene and Lower Iberia. His contributions as a hagiographer, writer, calligrapher, and religious leader have left an indelible mark on Georgian literature and religious history.

As a personal priest to Saint Shushanik, Iakob was not only a spiritual guide but also an eyewitness to her tragic martyrdom at the hands of her husband, bidaxsh Varsken. This profound experience inspired him to compile her life story in his hagiographic work, the Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik. This remarkable text, believed to be written between the years four hundred seventy-six and four hundred eighty-three, stands as the oldest surviving work of Georgian literature.

Despite the significance of his literary contributions, little is known about Iakob's personal life beyond the scant details gleaned from his writings. His legacy, however, continues to resonate through the ages, highlighting the rich tapestry of early Georgian religious and literary culture.