Bidzina Cholokashvili was a Georgian military official and Christian martyr who lived during the 17th century. Serving as a sakhltukhutsesi in the Kingdom of Kakheti during the 1630s, he was a prominent figure in regional politics and military affairs. He supported Teimuraz during his conflict with Rostom and participated in military campaigns to expand royal authority. Following the Bakhtrioni Uprising in 1659, he faced severe consequences for his actions and his refusal to change his religious beliefs.
Life and death
As a military leader, Cholokashvili played a role in the 1648 invasion of Ertso to ensure the region remained under royal control. After the Bakhtrioni Uprising, the Shah demanded that several leaders, including Bidzina, convert their faith. Because he refused to abandon his Christian beliefs, he was handed over to local tribes. He was subsequently tortured and killed, dying around 1660.
Veneration
The Georgian Orthodox Church recognizes him as a saint. His memory is honored annually by the faithful, with his feast day observed on October 1. He is remembered as a martyr who maintained his religious convictions despite intense pressure to convert.