Saint
Vakhtang Gorgasali
Saint Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia
New Calendar November 30 Old Calendar December 13
Why they are a saint
Vakhtang I Gorgasali, of the Chosroid dynasty, was a king of Iberia, natively known as Kartli in the second half of the 5th and first quarter of the 6th century. He led his people, through an ill-fated alliance with the Byzantine Empire, into a lengthy struggle against Sasanian Iranian hegemony, which ended in Vakhtang's defeat and weakened the kingdom of Iberia. Tradition also ascribes to him the reorganization of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the foundation of Tbilisi, Georgia's modern capital.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Vakhtang Gorgasali as a patron when they bear the name Vakhtang at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 30. As a ruler, he is also remembered by those who bear responsibility for others.
Prayer
O holy Vakhtang Gorgasali, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.