[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

[Daily Orthodox Readings and Saints]

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed May 7 2008

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------ READINGS FOR TODAY ----------------------------
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Composite 2  - Proverbs 10, 3, 8 (Vespers, 1st Reading)
The memory of the righteous is with praise and the blessing of the
Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who has found wisdom and the
mortal who has understanding. For it is better to purchase her than
treasuries of gold and silver. She is more precious than precious
stones and all that is precious is unworthy of her. For length of days
and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are
riches and glory. Out of her mouth proceeds righteousness and she
bears law and mercy upon her tongue.
Hear me, O child, for I will speak noble things. Blessed is the man
who keeps my ways, for my ways are the way of life, and in them is
prepared favor from the Lord. Therefore, I pray you, and utter my
voice to the sons of men: For I, wisdom, have dwelt with counsel and
knowledge and I have called upon understanding. Counsel and safety are
mine, understanding and strength are mine. I love those who love me
and those seeking me shall find grace.
Understand craftiness, O you who are simple, and imbibe knowledge, you
who are untaught. Hear me again, for I will speak noble things: I will
open _my mouth_ and from my lips _shall_ come what is right. For my
throat shall meditate truth; false lips are an abomination before me.
All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them that
is twisted or perverse. They are all straight to him who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
I shall instruct you in truth, so that your hope will be in the Lord
and you shall be filled with the Spirit.
Scripture Reading 1 of 8


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Composite 4  - Proverbs 10; Wisdom of Solomon 6, 7, 8, 9 (Vespers, 2nd
Reading)
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom; the lips of the wise
man know grace. The mouth of the wise speaks wisdom, and the truth
delivers them from death. If a righteous man dies, hope is not, for
the son of the righteous is born to life, and in his own good things
he acquires the fruit of righteousness. There is always light for the
righteous and they obtain grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of
the wise is a good sister-in-law, and in their hearts rests wisdom.
The Lord loves the hearts of the holy, and acceptable to Him are all
the undefiled in the way.
The wisdom of the Lord illumines the faces of the wise. For she takes
hold of those desiring her by making herself first known to them. She
is easily seen by those who love her. He who rises early to seek her
shall have no difficulty, and those keeping vigil for the sake of her
shall quickly be without sorrows. For she goes about seeking those
worthy of her, and graciously reveals herself in the pathways. Against
wisdom evil does not prevail.
Therefore I was a lover of her beauty; I loved her and sought her out
from my youth. I desired to make her my bride, and even the Master of
All loved her. For she is an initiate in the knowledge of God, and a
discoverer of His works. Her labors are virtues, for she teaches
temperance and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more
necessary for men than these. And if anyone desires much knowledge,
she knows the things of old, and beholds things to come; she
understands turns of speech and the solution of riddles; she has
foreknowledge of signs and wonders and the outcome of times and
seasons. She is a mediator of good things for all, for immortality is
in her, and glory in the company of her words.
Therefore I appealed to the Lord and prayed to Him, and said to Him
with all my heart: "O God of _my_ fathers and Lord of mercy, Who hast
made all things by Thy word, and by Thy wisdom hast fashioned man that
he should have dominion over the creatures made by Thee, that he
should rule the world in holiness and righteusness: Give me wisdom
that sits by Thy throne, and cast me not away from among Thy children,
for I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid. Send her forth from
the heavens, from Thy holy abode, and from the throne of Thy glory,
that she may be with me, in understanding, and preserve me in her
glory. For the thoughts of mortals are miserable, and their intentions
likely to fail."
Scripture Reading 2 of 8


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Composite 5  - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 6, 7, 2 (Vespers, 3rd Reading)
When the righteous is praised, the people rejoice: For his memory is
immortality, since it is known both by the Lord and by men, for his
soul was pleasing to the Lord. Therefore love wisdom, O men, and live.
Desire her and be instructed: For her beginning is love and the
keeping of her laws. Honor wisdom that you may reign forever.
I will tell you and not hide the mysteries of God from you. For He is
the Guide of wisdom, the Corrector of the wise and the Artisan of all
thoughts and deeds. Wisdom will teach with all understanding: For in
her is a Spirit, intelligent and holy, the Radiance of the Everlasting
Light and the Image of the Grace of God.
She fashions friends of God and prophets. For she is more beautiful
than the sun and above all the order of the stars. Compared with the
light she is found to be first. She delivered from infirmities those
pleasing her and guided them on the paths of righteousness. She gave
to them understanding to be holy and to preserve them from those who
would ensnare them, and she granted them strength in struggles, so
that all might understand that the most powerful of all is piety, and
that evil might not prevail against wisdom, nor judgment pass away
without convicting the wicked.
Having reasoned unrighteously, they said to themselves, "Let us
oppress the righteous man and not spare his venerableness, nor let us
be ashamed of the gray hairs of the old man of many years. But let our
might be our law and let us seize the righteous, because he is
inconvenient to us and is opposed to our deeds; he reproaches us for
apostasy against the law and divulges the sins of our training.
"He declares to us to have knowledge of God and calls himself a child
of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight
of him is a burden to us, because his life is unlike that of others,
and his ways are very different. We are considered by him to be an
insult, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the end of the
righteous blessed.
"Let us see if his words are true; let us test him to see what will
happen to him. Let us torment him with revilement and tortures, that
we may understand his meekness and test his guilelessness. Let us
condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to his own words, he
shall be respected."
Thus they reasoned, but were deceived, for their wickedness blinded
them. They did not know the mysteries of God, nor did they discern
that Thou alone art God, having the power of life and death: Who
savest in times of affliction and delivereth from every evil; Who art
compassionate and merciful, granting Grace to His venerable ones, and
opposing the proud with His arm.
Scripture Reading 3 of 8


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John 10:9-16  (Matins Gospel)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the
sheep.
12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and
the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about
the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My
own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down
My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must
bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and
one shepherd.
Scripture Reading 4 of 8


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Acts 4:13-22  (Epistle)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they
realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they
could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council,
they conferred among themselves,
16 saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable
miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in
Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely
threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor
teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right
in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding
no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all
glorified God for what had been done.
22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of
healing had been performed.
Scripture Reading 5 of 8


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Galatians 1:11-19  (Epistle, St. Alexis)
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was
preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it
came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I
persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my
own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my
fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and
called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the
Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and
remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's
brother.
Scripture Reading 6 of 8


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John 5:17-24  (Gospel)
17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and
I have been working."
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not
only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making
Himself equal with God.
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to
you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father
do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He
Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you
may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so
the Son gives life to whom He will.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the
Son,
23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who
does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in
Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Scripture Reading 7 of 8


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John 10:1-9  (Gospel, St. Alexis)
1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by
the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he
calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers.
6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things
which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am
the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go
in and out and find pasture.
Scripture Reading 8 of 8



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Repose of St Alexis Toth the confessor and defender of
Orthodoxy in America
Our holy Father Alexis, the defender of the Orthodox Faith and zealous
worker in the Lord's vineyard, was born in Austro-Hungary on March 18,
1854 into a poor Carpatho-Russian family. Like many others in the
Austro-Hungarian empire, the Toths were Eastern Rite Catholics.
Alexis' father and brother were priests and his uncle was a bishop in
the Uniate church. He received an excellent education and knew several
languages (Carpatho-Russian, Hungarian, Russian, German, Latin, and a
reading knowledge of Greek). He married Rosalie Mihalich, a priest's
daughter, and was ordained on April 18, 1878 to serve as second priest
in a Uniate parish. His wife died soon afterwards, followed by their
only child - losses which the saint endured with the patience of Job.
In May, 1879, Fr Alexis was appointed secretary to the Bishop of
Presov and also Administrator of the Diocesan Administration. He was
also entrusted with the directorship of an orphanage. At Presov
Seminary, Father Toth taught Church History and Canon Law, which
served him well in his later life in America. St Alexis did not serve
long as a professor or an administrator, for the Lord had a different
future planned for him. In October, 1889 he was appointed to serve as
pastor of a Uniate parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Like another
Abraham, he left his country and his relatives to fulfill the will of
God (Gen 12:1).
Upon his arrival in America, Father Alexis presented himself to the
local Roman Catholic diocesan authority, Archbishop John Ireland,
since there was no Uniate bishop in America at that time. Archbishop
Ireland belonged to the party of American Catholics who favored the
"Americanization" of all Roman Catholics. His vision for the future
was founded on a common faith, customs, and the use of the English
language for everything except liturgical celebrations. Naturally,
ethnic parishes and non-Latin rite clergy did not fit into this
vision. Thus, when Father Toth came to present his credentials,
Archbishop Ireland greeted him with open hostility. He refused to
recognize him as a legitimate Catholic priest or to grant permission
for him to serve in his diocese.
As a historian and professor of Canon Law, Father Toth knew his rights
under the terms of the Unia and would not accept Archbishop Ireland's
unjust decisions. In October of 1890, there was a meeting of eight of
the ten Uniate priests in America at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania under
the chairmanship of Father Toth. By this time the American bishops had
written to Rome demanding the recall to Europe of all Uniate priests
in America, fearing that Uniate priests and parishes would hinder the
assimilation of immigrants into American culture. Uniate bishops in
Europe refused to listen to the priests' pleas for help.
Archbishop Ireland sent a letter to his parishes ordering their
members not to attend Father Toth's parish nor to accept any priestly
ministrations from him. Expecting imminent deportation, Father Toth
explained the situation to his parishioners and suggested it might be
best for him to leave and return to Europe.
"No," they said. "Let's go to the Russian bishop. Why should we always
submit ourselves to foreigners?" It was decided to write to the
Russian consul in San Francisco in order to ask for the name and
address of the Russian bishop. Ivan Mlinar went to San Francisco to
make initial contact with Bishop Vladimir; then in February, 1891
Father Toth and his church warden, Paul Podany, also made the journey.
Subsequently, Bishop Vladimir came to Minneapolis and on March 25,
1891 received Father Toth and 361 parishioners into the Orthodox
Church of their ancestors. The parishioners regarded this event as a
new Triumph of Orthodoxy, crying out with joy: "Glory to God for His
great mercy!"
This initiative came from the people themselves, and was not the
result of any coercion from outsiders. The Russian Orthodox Church was
unaware of the existence of these Slavic Uniate immigrants to America,
but responded positively to their petition to be reunited to the
Orthodox Church.
The example of St Alexis and his parish in returning to Orthodoxy was
an encouragement to hundreds of other Uniates. The ever-memorable one
was like a candle upon a candlestick giving light to others (Mt.5:15),
and his flock may be likened to the leaven mixed with meal which
leavened the whole (Mt.13:33). Through his fearless preaching he
uprooted the tares which had sprung up in the wheat of true doctrine,
and exposed the false teachings which had led his people astray.
Although he did not hesitate to point out errors in the doctrines of
other denominations, he was careful to warn his flock against
intolerance. His writings and sermons are filled with admonitions to
respect other people and to refrain from attacking their faith.
While it is true that he made some strong comments, especially in his
private correspondence with the church administration, it must be
remembered that this was done while defending the Orthodox Church and
the American Mission from unfounded accusations by people who used
much harsher language than Father Toth. His opponents may be
characterized by intolerance, rude behaviour, unethical methods and
threats against him and his parishioners. Yet, when Father Alexis was
offended or deceived by other people he forgave them, and he would
often ask his bishop to forgive his omissions and mistakes.
In the midst of great hardships, this herald of godly theology and
sound doctrine poured forth an inexhaustible stream of Orthodox
writings for new converts, and gave practical advice on how to live in
an Orthodox manner. For example, his article "How We should Live in
America" stresses the importance of education, cleanliness, sobriety,
and the presence of children in church on Sundays and Holy Days.
Although the Minneapolis parish was received into the Orthodox Church
in March, 1891, it was not until July, 1892 that the Holy Synod of
Russia recognized and accepted the parish into the Diocese of Alaska
and the Aleutians. This resolution reached America only in October,
1892. During that time there was a climate of religious and ethnic
hostility against the new converts. Father Alexis was accused of
selling out his own Carpatho-Russian people and his religion to the
"Muscovites" for financial gain.
In reality he did not receive any financial support for a long time,
for his parish was very poor. Until his priestly salary began to
arrive from Russia, the righteous one was obliged to work in a bakery
in order to support himself. Even though his funds were meager, he did
not neglect to give alms to the poor and needy. He shared his money
with other clergy worse off than himself, and contributed to the
building of churches and to the education of seminarians in
Minneapolis. He was not anxious about his life (Mt.6:25), what he
would eat or drink or wear. Trusting in God to take care of him, St
Alexis followed the admonition of Our Savior to "seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you" (Mt.6:33). So he bore the tribulation, slander, and
physical attacks with patience and spiritual joy, reminding us that
"godliness is stronger than all" (Wisdom of Solomon 10:12).
Bishops Vladimir, Nicholas, St Tikhon, and Platon recognized the
special gifts of Father Toth, so they often sent him forth to preach
and teach wherever there were people of Slavic background. Even though
he was aware of his shortcomings and inadequacies, yet he was obedient
to the instructions of the bishops. He did not hesitate or make
excuses, but went immediately to fulfill his mission. St Alexis
visited many Uniate parishes, explaining the differences between
Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and Uniatism, stressing
that the true way to salvation is in Orthodoxy.
Like Josiah, "he behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of his
people" (Sir 49:2). He was instrumental in the formation or return of
seventeen parishes, planting a vineyard of Christ in America, and
increasing its fruitful yield many times over. By 1909, the time of
his blessed repose, many thousands of Carpatho-Russian and Galician
Uniates had returned to Orthodoxy. This was a major event in the
history of the North American Mission, which would continue to shape
the future of Orthodoxy in this country for many generations to come.
Any future growth or success may truly be regarded as the result of
Father Toth's apostolic labors.
Who can tell of the saint's spiritual struggles? Who can speak of the
prayers which his pious soul poured forth unto God? He did not make a
public display of his piety, but prayed to God in secret with all
modesty, with contrition and inward tears. God, Who sees everything
done in secret, openly rewarded the saint (Mt.6:6). It is
inconceivable that St Alexis could have accomplished his apostolic
labors unless God had blessed and strengthened him for such work.
Today the Church continues to reap the fruits of his teaching and
preaching.
Father Toth's efforts did not go unrecognized in his own lifetime. He
received a jeweled miter from the Holy Synod, as well as the Order of
St Vladimir and the Order of St Anna from Czar Nicholas II for
distinguished service and devotion to God and country. In 1907, he was
considered as a candidate for the episcopal office. He declined this
honor, however, humbly pointing out that this responsibility should be
given to a younger, healthier man.
At the end of 1908, St Alexis' health began to decline due to a
complication of illneses. He went to the seashore in southern New
Jersey in an attempt to regain his health, but soon returned to
Wilkes-Barre, where he was confined to bed for two months. The
righteous one reposed on Friday, May 7, 1909 (April 24 on the Old
Calendar), the feast of Sts Sava and Alexius the Hermit of the Kiev
Caves. St Alexis' love and concern for his spiritual children did not
cease with his death. Before closing the account of his life, it would
be most appropriate to reveal but one example of his heavenly
intercession:
In January, 1993 a certain man prayed to St Alexis to help him obtain
information about his son from whom he had been separated for
twenty-eight years. Placing his confidence in the saint's boldness
before God, he awaited an answer to his prayer. The very next day the
man's son telephoned him. It seems the young man was in church when he
was suddenly filled with an overwhelming desire to contact his father.
He had been taken to another state by his mother, and she changed his
name when he was a child. This is why his father was unable to locate
him. Having learned from his mother that his father was an Orthodox
Christian, he was able with the help of an Orthodox priest to obtain
his father's phone number in a distant city. As a result of that
telephone call, the young man later visited his father, who rejoiced
to see what sort of man his son had become. The father gave thanks to
God and to St Alexis for reuniting him with his son.
St Alexis was a true man of God who guided many Carpatho-Russian and
Galician immigrants through the dark confusion of religious challenges
in the New World and back to the unity of the Orthodox Church through
his grace-filled words and by his holy example. In his last will and
testament St Alexis commended his soul to God's mercy, asking
forgiveness from everyone and forgiving everybody. His holy relics now
rest at St Tikhon Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania where the
faithful may come to venerate them and to entreat St Alexis'
intercessions on their behalf.
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Venerable David of the Gareji Monastery, Georgia
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
Repose of the Venerable Nilus the Abbot of Sora
Saint Nilus of Sora, a great ascetic of the Russian Church, was
descended from the Maikov nobility. He accepted monasticism at the
monastery of St Cyril of White Lake (June 9). Here he made use of the
counsels of the pious Elder Paisius Yaroslavov, who was afterwards
igumen of the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra.
St Nilus journeyed much through the East, studying the monastic life
in Palestine and on Mt. Athos. Returning to Rus, he withdrew to the
River Sora in the Vologda lands, and built a cell and a chapel, where
there soon grew up a monastery with a new (for that time in Rus) skete
Rule adopted by St Nilus from Mt. Athos. Following the command of St
Nilus, the monks had to sustain themselves by the work of their own
hands, to accept charity only in extreme need, and to shun the love of
things and splendor even in church. Women were not permitted in the
skete, monks was not allowed to leave the skete under any pretext, and
the possession of lands or estates was forbidden.
The monks lived in the forest around the small church in honor of the
Meeting of the Lord, in separate cells of one or two but not more than
three men. They gathered together in church for divine services.
Moreover, readings from the holy Fathers were prescribed at the
All-Night Vigil, which actually lasted the whole night. On other days,
each one prayed and worked in his own cell.
The saint struggled constantly with his own thoughts and passions.
Then peace would be born in his soul, clarity in his mind, contrition
and love in his heart. In his written works, "A Tradition for my
Disciple, Wishing to Live in the Wilderness," and the "Rule," St Nilus
describes the steps of this salvific mental activity in detail. The
first step is renunciation of the world, particularly, from every
worldly distraction. The second is unceasing prayer, accompanied by
the remembrance of death.
The saint was distinguished for his non-possessiveness and love for
work. He dug a pond and a well, whose water had healing power. For his
sanctity of life the Elder Nilus was deeply venerated by the Russian
hierarchs of his time. He participated in the Councils of 1490 and
1503. Disdaining the honors and glories of this world, he told his
disciples before his death either to throw his body to be eaten by
beasts and birds, or to bury it without honor at the place of his
struggles.
The saint died in his seventy-sixth year of life, on May 7, 1508. His
relics, buried in the monastery he founded, were glorified by many
miracles. The Russian Church has numbered him among the saints.
[In English, fragments of his "Tradition" and "Rule" may be found in
G. Fedotov's TREASURY OF RUSSIAN SPIRITUALITY.]
_________________________________________________________________
St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
Venerable Shio Mgvime
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium
Saint Acacius lived in the third century, and was an officer in the
Roman army during the time of Maximian. At his interrogation he
declared that he had received a devout faith from his parents, and
that he would remain steadfast in it, for he had seen many miracles of
healing which took place at the relics of the saints.
After enduring many tortures in the city of Pyrrinthus, Thrace, he was
taken to Byzantium. There he suffered further torments and was
beheaded with a sword in the year 303.
_________________________________________________________________
St Anthony Martmkofeli of Zaden, in Georgia
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
St Thaddeus of Stephantsminda, in Georgia
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
St Stephen of Khirsa, in Georgia
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carried with him a cross that had been
formed from the wood of the Life-giving Cross of our Savior. With the
blessing of his teacher, St. Joseph preached the Gospel of Christ
throughout the region of Kartli in eastern Georgia and later settled
in the Alaverdi wilderness.
Once St. Joseph encountered a pagan nobleman and preached to him the
Word of God. Deeply inspired by Fr. Josephs grace-filled preaching,
the nobleman founded a monastery in Alaverdi. Villagers from the
surrounding region heard about the holy fathers great spiritual feats,
and many of them left the world to labor with him. The number of
ascetics in the region began to increase steadily from that time.
When his long and labor-filled life was drawing to an end, St. Joseph
appointed a new abbot for the monastery and reposed peacefully in the
Lord. To this day many miracles have taken place over his grave at
Alaverdi Monastery.
>From his youth St. Shio of Mgvime (of the cave) was a disciple of St.
John of Zedazeni, and he followed him to Georgia. St. Shio settled in
Sarkineti, a region northwest of Mtskheta. The Most Holy Theotokos
blessed the monk, and he carried out his labors in accordance with her
revelations.
A dove would bring food to the blessed father, and St. Evagre (at that
time the ruler of Tsikhedidi) witnessed this miracle one day while
hunting in the area. Deeply inspired by his unceasing labors, the
prince left the world to become St. Shios disciple. It was not long
before St. Shios wilderness was filled with people who longed for the
ascetic life. St. Shio founded a monastery in Sarkineti, gathered
nearly two thousand monks to labor there with him, and instructed them
in a strict ascetic life.
Having performed countless miracles, St. Shio finally vowed to God
that he would spend the remainder of his life in a well that he had
dug for himself. He appointed Evagre abbot of the monastery and went
into reclusion at the bottom of the well. There he spent fifteen years
and reposed peacefully in the Lord. St. Shios holy relics are buried
in that well, and to this day many miracles have taken place over his
grave.
St. Pyrrhus of Breti, called the Divine Image of Repentance, founded a
monastery in Breti, on the bank of the Jvaristsqali River. His holy
relics are buried in the church at that monastery.
St. Isidore of Samtavisi preached the Christian Faith in Kartli for
many years, in accordance with his teachers instruction. On the
eastern bank of the Rekhula River, he founded Samtavisi Monastery of
the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By-Hands. He reposed and was buried at
that monastery.
St. Thaddeus of Stepantsminda first preached in Mtskheta, and later he
founded a monastery at the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. After St. Johns
repose, St. Thaddeus continued to preach throughout Kartli and erected
many new churches. Among them, the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen
in Urbnisi is a glorious example. Near the end of his life St.
Thaddeus withdrew to a cave at Tsleva Mountain not far from the city
of Kaspi. He reposed peacefully and is buried in that place.
St. Stephen of Khirsa and his companions preached throughout the
region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Later St. Stephen founded Khirsa
Monastery near Kharnabuji Castle. He is buried in the sanctuary of the
Church of the Protomartyr Stephen at Khirsa.
St. Zenon of Iqalto preached the Christian Faith in northern Kakheti
and founded Iqalto Monastery. He reposed peacefully, after
accomplishing many good works on behalf of the true Faith. St. Zenon
is buried at Iqalto in the Church of the Icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands.
St. Michael of Ulumbo preached the Christian Faith in northern Kartli
and Ossetia. He founded a monastery in the Ulumbo (named after Mt.
Olympus (in old Georgian Mt. Olympus is known as Mt. Ulumbo), a center
of monasticism in Bythinia, Asia Minor.) area, where his
wonder-working relics were later buried.
Many Georgian children have been raised at the monasteries founded by
the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. For centuries the Divine grace of the
holy ascetics has spread among the Georgian people and throughout
their land.
These monasteries and the holy fathers who founded them continue to
protect the Georgian people against all manner of sin and unbelief.
_________________________________________________________________
St Isidore of Samtavno, in Georgia
Our Holy Father John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus of
Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto,
Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse of Tsilkani, Joseph of Alaverdi,
Isidore of Samtavisi, Michael of Ulumbo, Pyrrhus of Breti, Stephen of
Khirsa, and Shio of Mgvime, were Syrian ascetics and the founding
fathers of Georgian monastic life.
St. John received his spiritual education in Antioch. Early in his
youth he was tonsured a monk and withdrew to the wilderness. The Lord,
recognizing his humility, diligence in fasting, and devout
watchfulness, blessed His faithful servant with the gift of healing
the sick and casting out demons. St. John was celebrated for his holy
deeds and miracles. Curious crowds would swarm around him, and after
some time he found it necessary to withdraw into even deeper
seclusion.
Taking with him several of his disciples, he chose a remote area,
fashioned for himself a cell, and began to labor as a hermit. Once the
Most Holy Theotokos appeared to St. John and told him, Take twelve
monks and go with them to Georgia, the nation enlightened by the
Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and strengthen the Christian soul of its
people.
Saint John related the vision to his disciples, and after much fasting
and prayer he chose twelve of them: Abibus, Anthony, David, Zenon,
Thaddeus, Isidore, Joseph, Jesse, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen, and Shio.
He left his remaining disciples in the wilderness in the care of the
abbot, the blessed elder Euthymius, and set off for Georgia with the
twelve he had chosen.
By divine revelation the Georgian king Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios
received the good news that the venerable fathers were in Mesopotamia,
on their way to Georgia, and they hurried to greet them with the
proper honors. King Parsman and Catholicos Evlavios met the holy
fathers as they were approaching Mtskheta.
The holy fathers venerated the myrrh-streaming wood of the Living
Pillar and the Robe of Christ at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. From there
St. John and his disciples traveled throughout Georgia, visiting its
many holy sites.
With the blessing of Catholicos Evlavios, St. John and his disciples
settled on Zedazeni Mountain, where a pagan temple to the idol Zadeni
had previously stood. The monks lived in wretched cells, eating only
plants and praying ceaselessly.
Having heard of the spiritual endeavors of St. John and his disciples,
Christian believers began to flock to Zedazeni Mountain. Many burned
with longing for the monastic life, and some abandoned the world to
join the holy fathers at Zedazeni. In such a way, Zedazeni Mountain
was transformed into an abode of hermits.
One night the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again to St. John and
instructed him to send his disciples throughout the country to preach
the Word of God. In the morning, having related the vision to his
disciples, St. John advised them: Our Lord Jesus Christ sent us to
perform good deeds for this country and its people, for they are newly
planted seeds in the Christian Faith. Therefore, let us go forth, each
in his own direction, to preach the Word of God!
St. John remained at Zedazeni and went about his usual labors in the
company of the Deacon Ilia. Zedazeni Mountain was without water, but
St. John prayed to God for a spring, and the Lord sent him a healing
spring at the mountains peak. Through St. Johns holy prayers, a bear
that often came to the spring to drink was tamed and became a guard
and protector of Zedazeni Monastery.
(To this day, the beasts of Zedazeni forest have never disturbed a
single soul). Through St. Johns intercessions, a man mute and
paralyzed from his childhood began to speak and walk.
After earnestly serving God for many years, St. John received a sign
that his death was approaching. He called his disciples, blessed them,
bade them farewell, and left them to bury him in the cave where he had
dwelt. After receiving Holy Communion, St. John beheld the heavens
open and the incorporeal powers with the armies of saints shining
forth.
The Lord called St. John toHimself, saying: I am the Lord, the God of
your father Abraham. Come and I will give you rest from your labors.
The holy father prayed and gave up his soul to the Lord. After his
repose St. Johns disciples reasoned among themselves that a dismal
cave was unfit to serve as their holy fathers burial place, and with
great reverence they buried his remains in a church at the foot of the
mountain. But suddenly a violent earthquake shook the ground where
they stood. The earth ceased to quake only after the frightened
disciples remembered their shepherds will and realized that the
tremors were a sign from God. So the disciples, a priest, and a deacon
uncovered the holy relics and reburied St. John according to his will.
While they were being translated, St. Johns holy relics healed many
sick and demon-possessed people.
In the 10th century, during the time of Catholicos Clement (908923), a
church in honor of St. John the Baptist was built on the south side of
St. Johns cave. The holy fathers grave is located near the altar of
this church.
The Holy Martyr Abibus of Nekresi was consecrated bishop of Nekresi at
the request of Parsman VI, King of Kartli, and Catholicos Evlavios.
Filled with holy zeal, Bishop Abibus converted many pagans to the
Christian Faith.
In the 6th century the Persians forced many Georgians to deny Christ
and worship fire in accordance with their own custom. When St. Abibus
poured water on their altar of sacrifice to extinguish the holy fire,
the enraged Persians beat him cruelly, then stoned him to death.
By order of the marzban (Persian viceroy), the holy relics of Martyr
Abibus remained for three days under the open sky. But to the marzbans
great amazement, neither beast nor bird would touch them.
On the fourth night, monks from Rechi Monastery arrived and translated
the holy relics to Samtavisi Monastery for proper burial. Later, by
order of Stepanoz (600619), the rightful ruler of Kartli, the holy
relics of St. Abibus were translated again, to Samtavro Monastery in
Mtskheta, and buried in the sanctuary under the altar table.
St. Anthony of Martqopi always carried with him an icon of the Savior
Not-Made-By-Hands which he had brought from Edessa in Asia Minor.
A lover of solitude, St. Anthony settled in Lonoati Gorge, but the
many curious Christians, drawn by his prayers and miracles, disturbed
his seclusion. So the holy father built a monastery for his faithful
followers, withdrew in reclusion beyond the Alazani River, and later
settled on Akriani Mountain. In his new hermitage, he ate mostly
plants and the bark of trees, and God sent a bear to bring him food.
Later St. Anthony erected a pillar at the top of the mountain and
dwelt upon it for eighteen years.
The venerable father received a sign from God when his death was
imminent, and at the moment of his repose he was kneeling in prayer
before the icon of the Savior. His disciples carried his holy relics
down from the pillar and buried them in the monastery he had founded,
in front of the icon of the Mother of God.
St. David of Gareji first settled in the outskirts of Tbilisi, the new
capital of Georgia. Through his wondrous preaching, St. David
converted many fire-worshippers and brought people of many creeds to
the Christian Faith.
One day the fire-worshippers took revenge: they bribed a pregnant
woman to agree to their scheme and accuse St. David of adultery. But
the wonder-worker St. David touched his staff to the womans womb and
said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, infant,
tell us who your real father is! The infant uttered the name of his
true father from inside his mothers womb. The crowd of bystanders was
outraged and began to stone the pagan slanderers.
Deeply disturbed by the rioting and unable to stop the bloodshed, St.
David departed with his disciple Lukiane.
Sts. David and Lukiane settled in the Gareji Wilderness in
southeastern Georgia. The Lord provided them with food in abundance:
every day, except Wednesdays and Fridays, a herd of deer came to visit
them. Lukiane milked the animals, and when David made the sign of the
Cross over the milk, it was miraculously transformed into cheese.
News of the wonders performed by the holy fathers spread quickly, and
soon the Gareji Wilderness became a refuge for the many Christians who
hungered to lead a true ascetic life.
After some time a pious monk called Dodo came from Ninotsminda, a
village in eastern Georgia, and, having received a blessing from his
spiritual father, established the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos
on the eastern side of the Gareji mountains. Since that time the
eastern range has been called Dodos Range.
St. David went to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, but when he arrived there,
he suddenly judged himself unworthy and dared not enter the gates of
the city. He prayed fervently before the city gates, then, in his
profound humility, chose three stones to take with him as treasures
and departed. That same night an angel appeared to Patriarch Elias of
Jerusalem and told him that a monk named David, who had arrived from
Georgia, was taking away all the grace of the Holy Land. The
patriarchs messengers found St. David and seized from him two of the
stones. The third stone he carried back to Gareji Monastery.
Having served the Lord his whole life, through much suffering and many
tribulations, the God-pleasing St. David reposed peacefully and was
buried at David-Gareji Monastery.
St. Jesse of Tsilkani was consecrated bishop of Tsilkani by Catholicos
Evlavios, at the suggestion of St. John of Zedazeni. The holy father
preached to many crowds and converted many unbelievers. Before long,
many followers had gathered around him. St. Jesse, like St. Johns
other disciples, was endowed with the ability to work miracles.
Once St. John decided to test the faith of his disciples, and he
required each of them to perform a miracle. When it was St. Isidores
turn, he descended to the Ksani River, crossed over it, then touched
his staff to the water and cried out, In the name of the Lord, I
command you to follow me! Immediately the river began to flow in the
opposite direction, and it followed every move of the venerable
fathers staff. St. Isidore led the river to Tsilkani Monastery.
Having witnessed this miracle, many people were converted to the true
Faith.
St. Isidore received a sign from heaven when his repose was near. He
partook of the Holy Gifts and prayerfully gave up his soul to God. St.
Isidore is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
St. Joseph of Alaverdi always carri