Malakia Gurieli was a younger son of
Kaikhosro I Gurieli, Prince of Guria, by his wife Khvaramze Goshadze. On the murder of Kaikhosro by the nobleman
Machutadze in 1660, Malakia and his elder brother
George fled to the protection of the Ottoman
pasha of Akhaltsikhe, whose help George eventually exploiting in securing the princely throne of Guria after the death of
Demetrius Gurieli in 1668. In 1684, George was killed at the
battle of Rokiti against King
Alexander IV of Imereti and Malakia was placed as his successor by the victorious king. Next year, George's son
Kaikhosro returned from his exile in Akhaltsikhe with troops provided by Yusuf Pasha of Akhaltsikhe; Malakia was dethroned and, in his turn, retired to Akhaltsikhe. The pasha attempted the reconciliation between the two Gurieli, but Kaikhosro reneged on his promise not to harm Malakia and had his uncle captured and blinded. This offended the pasha, who had the
bey of
Şavşat assassinated Kaikhosro in 1689. Malakia was restored as Prince of Guria, but his rule did not last long. The Gurians, who regarded Malakia incompetent, bribed the pasha of Akhaltsikhe and secured his support in deposing Malakia in favor of his another nephew,
Mamia III Gurieli. Malakia took the
monastic vows and was made by Mamia Gurieli bishop of Shemokmedi, a position he occupied until 1703, when he was replaced with the archbishop Ioane. == References ==