Demetrius was the eldest son of King David the Builder by his first wife Rusudan. As a commander, he took part in his father’s battles, particularly at Didgori (1121) and Shirvan (1123). Demetrius succeeded on his father’s death on January 24, 1125.
He is also known as a poet. With his ascent to the throne, the Seljuk Turks attacked the Georgian-held city of Ani, Armenia. Demetrius I had to compromise and ceded the city to a Seljuk ruler under terms of vassalage.
In 1139, he raided the earthquake-ridden city of Ganja in Arran (the present day Azerbaijan).
He brought the iron gate of the defeated city to Georgia and donated it to Gelati Monastery at Kutaisi, western Georgia. Despite this brilliant victory, Demetrius could hold Ganja only for a few years.
In 1130, Demetrius revealed a plot of nobles, probably involving the king"s half-brother Vakhtang. The King arrested the conspirators and executed one of their leaders, Ioanne Abuletisdze, in 1138 (or 1145).
In 1154, Demetrius"s elder son forced his father to abdicate and become a monk, receiving the monastic name Damian (Damianus).
However, died six months later and King Demetrius was restored to the throne. Although Demetrius was not as successful as his father the Builder, Georgia remained a strong feudal power with a well-organized military and political system and a developed cultural and economical life. He died in 1156 and was buried at Gelati Monastery.
He is regarded as a saint in the Orthodox Church and his feast day is celebrated on May 23 on the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.
