Saint Abo the New Martyr of Tiflis was of Arab origin. During the eighth century he lived in Baghdad and worked as a maker of fragrant oils. At the age of seventeen or eighteen, he accompanied Nerses, the ruler of Kartli, to Tiflis. There he learned the Georgian language and began visiting Christian churches. He received the Holy Baptism in Khazaria and later journeyed to Abkhazia, where he embraced a life of strict asceticism.
Returning to Tiflis, which remained under Muslim rule, he openly confessed his faith in Christ. For this reason, he was arrested, imprisoned, and brought to trial. Despite the threats and repeated attempts to persuade him to renounce Christianity, the saint remained steadfast. On the ninth day of his imprisonment, he received a divine revelation foretelling his martyrdom.
On the Feast of Theophany, Saint Abo recieved the Holy Communion and was led to execution. He was struck with a sword three times, but miraculously remained alive. He finally departed this life on January 6, 786.
His body was anointed with oil and burned on the edge of a cliff, where a church was later built. At that place, a star appeared and illuminated the whole of Tiflis. The relics of Saint Abo were cast into the Kura River. On the very next day they were glorified by a pillar of light that rose from the waters.
