Bishop
Saint Ise, Bishop of Tsilkani, was born in Antioch of Syria into a pious Christian family. From an early age, he aspired to a spiritual life and, upon reaching adulthood, went to one of the monasteries in Antioch, where he labored under the guidance of Saint John of Zedazni.
Among the 13 holy Syrian fathers chosen by lot, he came to Georgia, where he taught the people and instructed them in a pious life, exemplifying holiness and healing the sick.
The fame of the holy fathers' deeds grew, and the Catholicos-Archbishop of Georgia, Evlaviy, proposed to the council of bishops to elect some of them to vacant sees. Saint Ise was appointed to the Tsilkani see. Upon arriving in his diocese, he was struck by the pagan rites and began actively restoring piety, tirelessly preaching and performing divine services.
His labors bore fruit: Orthodox piety was established in the Tsilkani diocese. Saint Ise acquired the gifts of prayer and miracle-working. By his prayer, a stream of water separated from the Khsani River, forming a channel that extended to the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos.
He also preached among the Ossetians and other mountain peoples, affirming God's teaching. He learned of the nearness of his death through divine revelation, gathered the pastors and clergy, and surrendered his soul to the Lord at the end of the 6th century, on August 18. The honorable relics of Saint Ise were buried in the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tsilkani. The Church established his feast day on December 2.
