Saint Sektime is a man of God

Saint Ekvtime Takaishvili, a man who dedicated his life to Georgia: a story of true love

Ekvtime Takaishvili, a researcher of Georgian literature and culture, always remained loyal to his homeland, people and values, such as faith in God, kindness and justice. His life story is a story of true dedication and love for Georgia.

Born on January 3, 1863 in the village of Likhauri, Sekvtim faced difficulties in his early childhood, he broke his leg and became disabled. Having lost her parents at an early age, she was raised by her grandmother, aunt and older sister.

The seven-year-old boy went to the Ozurgeti district school, and then entered the Kutaisi gymnasium. After finishing his studies at St. Petersburg University, he returned to Georgia.

For many years he taught Greek and Latin, history and geography in six different educational institutions. In 1894, he married Nina Poltoratskaya.

Ekvtime Takaishvili became famous thanks to his passion for research and preservation of Georgian cultural heritage. Together with historian Dimitri Bakradze, he explored different corners of Georgia, collected ancient manuscripts and preserved them for future generations.

The researcher acquired the manuscripts at his own expense and sometimes had to give up valuables to the owners of the manuscripts so that they would not go abroad. It is important to note that thanks to Takaishvili’s efforts, many unique manuscripts were discovered, including the works of Shota Rustaveli.

Before emigrating to France in 1921, Ekvtime Takaishvili actively participated in the creation of the National Democratic Party of Georgia and worked as the deputy chairman of the founding assembly of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. In France, he continued to protect the interests of Georgia and his country, as well as to return the valuables taken during his emigration.

In 1945, already at an advanced age, Ekvtime Takaishvili returned to Georgia with a collection of Georgian treasures selected during his emigration. This moment became one of the main events in his life and in the history of Georgia.

Saint Ekvtime Takaishvili will remain in history as a defender of the motherland and culture. His dedication and love for Georgia continue to inspire generations and leave an unforgettable mark in the history of this great nation.

Protecting the nation’s gold
In the early 1930s, Takaishvili won a lawsuit brought by Princess Salome Obolenskaya (1878–1961), daughter of Nikolai Dadian, the last sovereign prince of Megreli, who also claimed part of the treasury taken from the former Dadian palace in Zugdidi.

going back to home:
In 1945, he was elected as a professor of Tbilisi State University, and in 1946, as an academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences. However, the Soviet authorities soon accused him of being a French agent and not only fired him, but also confiscated his pension. He was visited by his friends and Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Kalistrat Tsintsadze (1932-1952), who was a close friend of Taqashvili.

He died at the age of 90 in February 1953, under house arrest and in extreme poverty.