Abo of Tiflis

Abo of Tiflis

Martyr

Martyr Abo Tbilisi, an Arab by origin, lived in the 8th century in Baghdad and was a maker of fragrant oils. At the age of 17-18, he followed the ruler of Kartli, Nerse, to Tbilisi, where he learned the Georgian language and began to visit the temples of God. Abo accepted Holy Baptism in Khazaria, and then, following Nerse, found himself in Abkhazia, where he led a strict ascetic life.

In Tbilisi, which was under the rule of the Mohammedans, he openly confessed Christ, for which he was imprisoned and brought to trial. They tried to return him to Mohammedanism, but he remained unyielding. On the ninth day of his imprisonment, he was revealed the near day of his martyr's death.

At the third hour of the Feast of Theophany, Saint Abo partook of the Holy Mysteries and was led to execution. He was struck three times with the blunt side of a sword, but he remained unshaken. He passed away on January 6, 786.

The body of Saint Abo was doused in oil and burned at the edge of a cliff, where later the Metekhi Church was built. At that place, a star appeared, illuminating all of Tbilisi. The relics of Saint Abo were thrown into the Kura River, and the next day they were glorified as a pillar of light, emerging from the water.