Reception of II Century Greek Apologetics in Old Georgian Literature

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On the Structure of Apologetic Works

The encounter of Greek culture and Christian faith was the most significant phenomenon at the beginning of the Christian era. The main aspects of apologetics – defense, polemics, propaganda – were not strange for either Hellenic or Judaic traditions. Indeed, some common themes can be singled out, of which three are the most important: anti-polytheistic and anti-idolatrous polemics – in respond to the accusation of atheism; rendition and praise of Christian moral and critique of pagan customs and traditions – in respond to incest and hatred towards mankind; in respond to the accusation of novelty – call for examples from antiquity. The responses of the apologists or the first Christian intellectuals to these accusations determine the structure, genre peculiarities, language, vocabulary, style and intonation of apologetic texts. The dialogue develops Christian theology and at the same time forms a new literary genre. It is logical to consider as classical apologetic texts (classics of the genre) those works (and authors) where the following structural model is preserved: Addressees (to sovereigns, pagan society, the Jews); Criticism of paganism (anti-polytheistic and anti-idolatrous polemics;) Jewish faith; Transference of the Christian faith

The effect of Growth Hormone replacement therapy on Lipid Metabolism in Georgian patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency

Introduction: Recently, Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has become one of the reasons of significant metabolic and psychological morbidity in children and adults. The aim of our study was to find out the impact of GH replacement therapy on lipid profile in Georgian patients with GHD, which was caused by surgical resection. Design: Double Blind placebo controlled study for 12 months and an open study for another 12 months. Patients and Methods: 20 Georgian adults, aged 40.75±2.2 years (mean ± SE, range 20.5-60), with adult onset GH deficiency were enrolled in the study. The patients were selected from the basis of National Institute of Endocrinology. We set the inclusive and exclusive criteria to study these patients, who needed the growth hormone replacement therapy. We collected standardized information about central and peripheral hormones, metabolic activity and physical features. Results: after 12 months of GH replacement, there was no significant improvement of lipid profile in the GH deficient patients. After 24 months of the treatment, the study showed the upward trend of Triglycerides, Total cholesterol and HDL-CH, and a decrease of LDL-CH. Conclusion: The response of lipid profile to the 12 and 24 months of GH replacement in patients with GH deficiency was disappointing. The results significantly differ from the ones, provided by the European Endocrine societies. Thus, longer-term studies are required, in order to investigate accurately the whole lipid profile among our patients for the following years

The Colchis Black Sea Littoral in the Archaic and Classical Periods

The article deals with the review of principal archaeological sites of the south-eastern Black Sea littoral (Kobuleti-Pichvnari, Petra-Tsikhisdziri, and Batumi Fort). Archeological study of these sites revealed that the coastline and the surrounding area have been populated since the Late Bronze Age at least. The appearance of Greek colonies in these areas from the end of the sixth century B.C. can be observed. All settlements were located at the mouth of the rivers which played an important role in their development since the mouths of the rivers were used as harbors. On the one hand, the junction of the sea and the river routes was pivotal for the development of urban settlements, and on the other, facilitated the spread of Greek culture in hinterland. Kobuleti-Pichvnari was the most advanced urban colonial settlement in the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Due to their strategic locations, Gonio-Apsarus gained particular importance in the Roman period and the city-fortress of Petra in the Early Byzantine period. The physical geography of the eastern part of the Black Sea littoral helped the region integrate into the Pontic world, and thus, become a part of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine spheres

Pontic Greeks in Ajara Past and present

მონოგრაფიაში სამეცნიერო ლიტერატურაზე, ისტორიულ დოკუმენტებზე, ასევე კომპლექსური სამეცნიერო ექსპედიციების დროს მოპოვებული ფოლკლორულ-ეთნოგრაფიული მასალების საფუძველზე, შესწავლილია აჭარაში მცხოვრები პონტოელი ბერძნების დასახლების ისტორია, მატერიალური, სოციალური და სულიერი კულტურა. ნაშრომს თან ერთვის მდიდარი საილუსტრაციო მასალა, ფოტო, აუდიო და ვიდეომონიტორინგის მასალები. მონოგრაფია საინტერესო იქნება ისტორიკოსების, ეთნოგრაფების, ფოლკლორისტების, ლინგვისტების და ამ საკითხებით დაინტერესებული მკვლევრებისა და მკითხველებისათვის.The monograph is a study of the history of the Pontic Greeks settlement in Ajara, their material and spiritual culture, based on the scholarly literature, historical documents, and folklore-ethnographic resources obtained during the complex scientific expeditions. Annexed to the monograph is rich illustrations and photos, audio and video monitoring recordings. The monograph is intended for the wide audience of the researchers, historians, ethnographers, folklorists, linguists and the interested audience.პროექტი განხორციელდა შოთა რუსთაველის ეროვნული სამეცნიერო ფონდის ფინანსური მხარდაჭერით (გრანტი: FR/491/2-153/13)This project has been made possible by financial support from the Rustaveli National Science Fondation (Grant: FR/491/2-153/13)