Michael IV or Michael Mirianisdze was
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
''Catholicos-Patriarch'' has been the title of the heads of the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1010. The first Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia was Melkisedek I (1010–1033). In the 15th century the Georgian Orthodox Church was divided into th ...
, from 1178 to 1184,
''Mtsignobartukhutses-Chkondideli'' (chancellor) since 1184. Michael held his high offices to the end of his life.
Archbishop of
Samtvisi Michael was loyal to King
George III
George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two kingdoms on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Br ...
. After the resignation of Nikoloz I Gulaberisdze he was appointed as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. Following the death of George III the question of the legality of Queen
Tamar's status was raised by the great feudal lords, but with the vigorous support of the patriarch Michael IV the question was settled in Tamar's favour.
[.] Tamar had to reward the Catholicos-Patriarch Michael's support by making him a
chancellor, thus placing him at the top of both the clerical and secular hierarchies.
[.] The queen fully appreciated the negative effects of this act and endeavoured to remody the situation. But it was extremely difficult to fight Mikel Mirianisdze. His high offices, particularly the office of head of the Georgian Church, made him a dangerous adversary, and the queen prepared for the struggle painstakingly, with caution. Tamar failed in her attempt to use a church
synod to dismiss the Catholicos-Patriarch Michael.
Michael held his high offices to the end of his life. Subsequently, in order to accentuate his scorn for Michael, the chronicler wrote, reporting Michael's death: "Michael Mirianisdze, Patriarch, ''Chkondidel-mtsignobartukhutsesi''", died and nobody mourned his death".
References
Bibliography
*
*
11th-century people from Georgia (country)
Catholicoses and Patriarchs of Georgia (country)
Year of birth unknown
{{Georgia-hist-stub