Saint John of Zedazni and his 12 disciples, who came from Cappadocia to Georgia in the mid-6th century, became the founders of Georgian monasticism. John, who received spiritual education in Antioch, chose 12 disciples and, following the command of the Mother of God, went to Georgia, where he was joyfully welcomed by the people and King Parsman. They settled on Mount Zedazeni, where a pagan shrine had previously been located, and led an ascetic life, healing the sick through prayer.
The saints Aviv, Isa, Joseph, Isidore, Michael, Pirr, and Stephen, each of whom founded monasteries and churches, preached Christianity, destroying idolatry and establishing faith among the people. John, opposing evil spirits, received a revelation about his death and bequeathed to his disciples to bury him in a cave on the mountain.
After his death, the disciples, forgetting the bequest, moved the body to the monastery, but the earth trembled around until the body was placed in the cave, as the saint had bequeathed. In the 10th century, a church was built in honor of John the Baptist, where his relics were glorified by many miracles.
