12 Facts About Gregory Pakourianos

Gregory Pakourianos was a Byzantine politician and military commander.

Gregory Pakourianos was the founder of the Monastery of the Mother of God Petritzonitissa in Bachkovo and author of its typikon.

Gregory Pakourianos is believed to have hailed from the region of Tao or Tayk, which had been ruled by Georgian Bagratids of kouropalatate of Iberia, later annexed by the Byzantines to the theme of Iberia in 1001.

The 12-century Armenian chronicler Matthew of Edessa, wrote that he was of vrats, or "Georgian," origin, though here he was likely referring to Gregory Pakourianos' being part of the Georgian Orthodox Church rather than necessarily being an ethnic Georgian.

Gregory Pakourianos himself proclaimed that he belonged to "the glorious people of the Iberians" and insisted his monks to know the Georgian language.

Anna Comnena described Gregory Pakourianos as having a tiny frame but being a mighty warrior.

Later Gregory Pakourianos was involved in a coup that removed Nikephoros III.

Gregory Pakourianos possessed numerous estates in various parts of the Byzantine Empire and was afforded a variety of privileges by the emperor, including exemption from certain taxes.

Gregory Pakourianos died in 1086 fighting the Pechenegs at the battle of Beliatoba, charging so vigorously he crashed into a tree.

Gregory Pakourianos was known as a noted patron and promoter of Christian culture.

Gregory Pakourianos signed the Greek version of the Typikon in Armenian.

Gregory Pakourianos signed his name in Georgian and Armenian characters rather than Greek.