Saint Grigol Peradze. Life and Works

This book presents the life and work of the holy martyr, Archimandrite Grigol Peradze (1899–1942), who spent most of his pastoral and scholarly career in Warsaw, having arrived there at the invitation of Metropolitan Dionysius (Waledyński). He gained immense authority in the European academic world. He was a professor at the University of Warsaw (1933–1939), a specialist in patrology and the history of Georgian monasticism, as well as a polyglot.

This book is the result of many years of research and document searches conducted across various countries, as well as in European archives and libraries. Initially, it seemed unlikely that any significant materials would be found. However, after his arrest in 1942, someone hid extremely important documents behind books in a library at the Warsaw Metropolis. Among them, we discovered the original copy of his doctoral diploma, his passport, notes, correspondence with professors from the University of Berlin and the University of Bonn, his will, and documents related to the search and arrest, prepared by employees of the Warsaw Metropolis. The research methods are based on archival inquiries, including the selection and analysis of source materials related to the life and work of Saint Grigol Peradze. All collected materials have undergone criticalanalysis, and the documentation also includes a compilation of photographic collections. The result of this work is a classic, source-based monograph, complemented by a scholarly apparatus.

The publication of this book significantly contributes to revitalizing Polish-Georgian and Christian-Jewish dialogue, while also playing a vital role in preserving and promoting the memory of the victims of the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Saint Grigol Peradze (in the academic world known as “Archimandrite Peradze”) was a professor at the University of Warsaw (1933-1939), a distinguished specialist in patristics and the history of Georgian monasticism, and a polyglot. He played an important role in the history of world scholarship, and his works remain a valuable source of knowledge for researchers of the history of Christianity. In Poland, he was a respected scholar, particularly well-known among Orientalists. He perished in the German concentration camp KL Auschwitz at the age of only forty-three, leaving behind a significant academic legacy.

During the search for documents related to him, it initially seemed impossible to find any surviving materials. However, after his arrest in Warsaw, someone hid extremely important documents behind books in the library of the Warsaw Metropolis. As a result of research, the original copy of his doctoral diploma, passport, notes, references from professors of the University of Berlin and the University of Bonn, as well as documents from the University of Warsaw, were discovered. In the archive, we also found his will and documents prepared by the staff of the Metropolis after his arrest by the Gestapo.

This book presents a unique study that brings together, in one volume, rare archival materials concerning St. Grigol Peradze. The publication appeared in a special, commemorative binding and format, which already makes it a bibliophile edition. The research methods applied were based on archival queries, as well as on the selection and analysis of sources concerning the life and work of St Grigol Peradze. All collected materials were subjected to critical analysis, and the documentation was enriched with a selection of archival photographs. The publication makes an important contribution to the preservation and dissemination of memories about the victims of the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Prof. David Kolbaia – a historian, orientalist, and assistant professor, is the head of Caucasus Studies at the Centre for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of 'Pro Georgia. Journal of Kartvelological Studies'.