The Moscow-based Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) exists to translate, publish, and distribute the Bible in the 130-plus languages of the non-Slavic peoples living in the Commonwealth of Independent States (that is, in former Soviet Union countries).
In 2002 the IBT published a Georgian edition of Stories about Jesus Christ, a children’s book based on the four New Testament Gospels. They commissioned Georgian artist David Popiashvili, who studied at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, to create thirty-one illustrations for it. People responded so well to Popiashvili’s images that IBT decided to create a digital version of the book that includes Russian and English translations as well as the original Georgian. You can access this edition here.
The Good News about the Birth of Jesus
The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus Calms a Storm
The Good Shepherd
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Carrying His Own Cross
If you would like to request a copy of the print edition (which is in Georgian only), you can do so by e-mailing ibt_inform@ibt.org.ru. In exchange for the book they will ask for a $10 donation, to cover the costs of production and shipping. Because I live in the United States they had me send my donation to God’s Word for the Nations, a Missouri-based organization they collaborate with, after I received my copy in the mail.
The book is a seventy-page paperback, printed in full color on matte paper and staple bound. The trim is 8 × 8 inches.
David Popiashvili’s paintings for Stories have a tighter quality to them than his typical work, to accommodate the audience. Usually his brushwork is loose, and his oil paint thickly applied.
David Popiashvili (Georgian, 1969-), The Flight to Egypt, 1999. Oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm.
David Popiashvili (Georgian, 1969-), Untitled (Jesus with his disciples). Oil on canvas.
David Popiashvili (Georgian, 1969-), Garden of Gethsemane (Christ preaching), 2011, 41 x 52 cm.
David Popiashvili (Georgian, 1969-), Untitled (Women at the Tomb). Oil on canvas.
You can view more of Popiashvili’s paintings on his Facebook page.
The Jesus Question 
Reblogged this on ORTHODOX CITY HERMIT and commented:
This ‘discovery’ today made me smile!
#Western Art #children’s bible #david popiashvili #georgian christian art #institute for bible translation #painting
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Hi Victoria,
This could be your blog for February. Very interesting and good for our readers to know about.
We are having a higher rate of visitors to the website than ever. Almost the whole month around 1200 visitors a day, and just two days of more than 1500!
Blessings,
marleen
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I just purchased 22 paintings by David Popiashvili. They were displayed as street art in the old town of Tbilisi. I could not resist. Only after purchasing I learned about who the painter was. It is unusual
to fall in love at the age of 65, in particular if you are University Professor of Physics. I tell you … it is possible to fall in love with David’s paintings. They bring forth a pure heart that speaks a story, which written word has a hard time to communicate.