Orthodox Icon of Holy Martyrs Davit & Constantine

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October 2nd
Troparion
O victorious Davit and heroic Constantine, deliver from temptation those who pray unto you, and by your holy protection grant them peace!

Ss. Davit & Constantine of Argveti were royal brothers that lived during the eighth century. The Persian ruler and military leader under the Arab caliph, Marwan bin Muhammad, invaded then Armenia and Georgia. He fought his way across Georgia to the region of Abkhazeti. Princes Davit and Constantine heard of the enemy's approaching invasion. They prepared their armies and asked their people to pray for God's help. The Persian army drew close to Argveti and attacked the Georgians. Ss. Davit and Constantine's armies were triumphant. This enraged Marwan, so he sent an enormous army to exact his revenge. This time the Persians won. They killed many and took the brothers captive. Once brought before Marwan, he mocked them and they returned his scorn with humility. In turn, Marwan had them beaten ruthlessly. The brothers endured the suffering. Marwan entreated them to abandon the Faith and accept Islam. St. Davit crossed himself and answered, "Let not this disgrace come upon us, that we would depart from the light to draw nearer to the darkness!" He then condemned Islam. Marwan was enraged by St. Davit's answer, so he turned to the younger brother. Constantine remained steadfast and fearlessly glorified the Holy Trinity by saying, "My brother Davit and I believe and follow the one Faith and one doctrine in which we have been instructed. Our faith is in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and we will die for the sake of the One True God!" Marwan then resorted to starving the brothers. After ten days, Marwan sent sorcerers to influence them once again to convert to Islam. The brothers refused. They were bound with heavy rocks and drowned in the Tsqaltsitela River. Three beams of light appeared over the river were Ss. Davit and Constantine drowned that night. The rocks were loosed from their necks and their bodies floated to the surface. Faithful Christians found and buried them in a church that Marwan had destroyed. Their burial place was concealed for four centuries until the reign of King Bagrat the Great. King Bagrat decreed that a Monastery of the Martyrs be built over that place. Their incorrupt relics remain still preserved there.

This Icon is by the hand of Lasha Kintsurashvili. Inscription is in Georgian.

Order #lkg-38