David V He came from the princely family of Bagrationov. Son of the Georgian king Demeter I, grandson of David IV the Builder. Country: Georgia

1. Biography of David V
2. Education and Early Career
3. Ecclesiastical Career
4. Leadership and Legacy
5. Controversies and Activism

Biography of David V

David V came from the princely Bagrationi family. He was the son of Georgian King Demetre I and the grandson of David IV the Builder. During his lifetime, he was titled David V. However, some Georgian church historians now believe that there was another Catholicos named David in the 15th century and consider his predecessor to be David VI.

Education and Early Career

David V studied at the Shio-Mgvime Monastery in Chiatura. He passed the examination to become a priest at the age of 15, although he couldn't be ordained due to being a minor. It is known that he was married. In 1927, he was ordained as a deacon and the following day as a priest. From 1930, he served in Tbilisi, first in the Sioni Cathedral and then in the Kvashveti Church.

Ecclesiastical Career

In 1956, Father Hariton Devdariani, blessed by Catholicos Melchizedek III, ordained David V as a bishop. He took monastic vows with the name David and became the Bishop of Margveti and Urbnisi. He taught ancient Georgian and Church Slavonic languages at the Mtskheta Spiritual Seminary.

Leadership and Legacy

On January 10, 1960, according to the will of the deceased Melchizedek III, David V was declared his successor, but out of humility, he declined. On February 18, 1962, he was elevated to the position of Metropolitan of Urbnisi. In 1965-1966, he received both of the Georgian Orthodox Church's orders: St. George and St. Nina. After the death of his successor, Melchizedek III, David V was elected as Catholicos on July 1, 1972. After five years of patriarchate, he passed away on November 9, 1977, and was buried in the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi.

Controversies and Activism

There were allegations in the Georgian dissident literature that David V's election was based on a forged will of Patriarch Ephraim, who, in reality, had declared his successor to be Ilya Shiolashvili, who later became Catholicos after David's death. These allegations suggested that the purpose was to organize the misappropriation of the church's assets, involving Bishop Gaioz (Gai) Keratishvili, who had significant influence over David, along with accomplices from the leadership of the Georgian Communist Party and the USSR's KGB, including Vasily Mzhavanadze's wife. After Mzhavanadze's resignation in 1972, Keratishvili's activities and his entourage became the subject of investigation by the competent authorities. Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Valentina Pailodze, and other dissidents participated in the dissemination of these documents. David V actively participated in the officially encouraged activities of the Church in the Soviet era, particularly in the struggle for peace. He was known for his strict monastic life and his fervent dedication to worship.