Saint Demetrius I of Georgia

Demetrius I (Georgian: დემეტრე I, romanized: demet're I) (c. 1093 – 1156), of the Bagrationi dynasty, was a Georgian monarch (mepe) who ruled the Kingdom of Georgia from 1125 to 1154 and again from 1155 until his death in 1156. He is also known as a poet. Regarded as a saint by the Orthodox Church, his feast day is celebrated on May 23 in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar. Demetrius was born in 1093, the eldest son of King David IV of Georgia by his first wife, Rusudan, an Armenian woman. Around 1107, David IV divorced Queen Rusudan in order to cement his alliance with the Kipchaks. He then married Gurandukht, the daughter of the Kipchak chieftain Otrok. In 1117, King David sent Demetrius on a punitive expedition to Shirvan, where the young commander quickly earned a reputation for his remarkable military prowess. His forces captured Kaladzori Castle (later known as Alberd, now Agdash) and returned home with captives and significant wealth, cementing Demetrius's growing fame. On August 12, 1121, during the Battle of Didgori against the Seljuk Empire, King David IV divided the Georgian army into two, with his son Demetrius leading a hidden reserve. The Georgians feigned defection, causing confusion in the enemy camp. As their leadership faltered, Demetrius launched a flanking attack, breaking the Seljuk forces. This, combined with the main assault, led to their disarray and retreat. Demetrius pursued the enemy for three days, securing a decisive victory that expanded Georgia's influence in the region. In 1125, According to the Life of King Demetre, David IV proclaimed his son co-ruler of Georgia and crowned him with his own hands. He declared that his son Demetrius, through his wisdom, chastity, bravery, and handsome appearance, would rule Georgia successfully. Already in 1125, he had to expel the Seljuks from the fortress of Dmanisi, which controlled one of the accesses to Tbilisi from the south.