Archimandrite
The lives of Saints John and George are closely associated with the Monastery of Bethania in Georgia.
Saint John (Maisuradze) was born in South Ossetia and settled at Bethania Monastery right from his youth. He later traveled to Mount Athos and in the 1920s he became the monastery's abbot. In 1921, when only two monks remained in the brotherhood, he returned to Bethania, where he spent the rest of his life.
In 1924, the monk George (Mkheidze), who came from a royal family, joined the monastery. Feeling a deep calling to the monastic life, he abandoned his studies at the military academy and chose to embrace an ascetic way of living. He became renowned for his generosity, often giving away his own clothing to the poor. Before arriving at Bethania, he had lived at Khir Monastery, which was closed by the authorities in 1924. His brothers, who were communists, lost their lives during the Stalinist purges in 1938.
During the years of persecution, the monastic community of Bethania survived largely through the steadfast faith and tireless efforts of the Saints John and George. They remained at the monastery until the end of their earthly lives, faithfully preserving and protecting it through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Saint John reposed in the Lord in 1957 and Saint George followed in 1962. Their earthly remains are buried at the Monastery of Bethania.
