The Gospels published in Romanian in 1693 established a significant milestone for the regional church, marking a shift toward the local language as an official liturgical medium. Anthim the Iberian, a theologian and polymath, directed the printing press responsible for this transition, fundamentally shaping the cultural and religious landscape of Wallachia through his extensive literary and clerical work.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1650 in the Kingdom of Kartli, then known as Iberia within the Samtskhe–Javakheti region, the man later known as Anthim experienced a tumultuous youth. Captured by Ottoman troops, he was sold in the Constantinople slave market. During his captivity, he developed expertise in wood sculpting, embroidery, painting, and calligraphy. Following his release by the Patriarch of Constantinople, he took religious orders and eventually traveled to Iași in the company of Patriarch Dositheos.
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In 1689, Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu invited him to Wallachia. By 1691, he managed the printing press in Bucharest. His production was prolific, covering Church Slavonic, Greek, Arabic, and Romanian. He notably introduced the first Arabic fonts to Wallachia. In 1709, he established the first Georgian printing press in Tbilisi, personally cutting the type used for the first printed Georgian Gospels in 1710. His command of Georgian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Romanian enabled him to publish bilingual volumes and instructional catechisms.
Ecclesiastical Career and Philosophical Works
He served as the father superior of the Snagov Monastery beginning in 1695. His career advanced steadily, leading to his appointment as bishop of Râmnic in 1705 and Metropolitan of Wallachia in 1708. Alongside his administrative duties, he authored the Didache, a collection of sermons that critiqued contemporary morals. This work is significant for its synthesis of Christian theological sources and classical philosophy. He also supervised the construction of the All-Saints Monastery, now known as the Antim Monastery.
Exile and Assassination
His tenure as Metropolitan ended in 1715 due to political friction. Anthim held strong objections to the increasing Ottoman influence over Wallachia, which placed him at odds with the Phanariote regime. Prince Nicholas Mavrocordatos eventually imprisoned him and ordered his exile to Mount Sinai. While traveling, Anthim was intercepted by Ottoman forces and killed. His body was discarded in either the Maritsa or the Tundzha river near Gelibolu in 1716.
Fast facts
- Born: 1650, Samtskhe–Javakheti
- Died: 1716, Gelibolu
- Positions: Metropolitan of Wallachia, 1708–1715
- Languages known: Georgian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Romanian
- Canonization: 1992 by the Romanian Orthodox Church
- Notable construction: Antim Monastery, Bucharest
Questions readers ask
What is the Antim Cup?
It is a rugby union trophy contested annually between the national teams of Romania and Georgia, named in honor of Anthim the Iberian.
When is the feast day of Saint Anthim?
The Romanian Orthodox Church observes his saint day on September 27.
