Hierarch Ise (Jesse), Bishop of Tsilkani

Hierarch Ise (Jesse) was born in Antioch, Syria, in the 6th century into a devout Christian family. He became a monastic disciple of Venerable John of Zedazeni and, together with him and eleven other ascetics, came to Iberia (Eastern Georgia) in the mid-6th century to strengthen Christianity and combat the lingering paganism and Zoroastrian influence.

At the request of the Georgian king Parsman VI and Catholicos Evlabius (Evlavius), Ise — together with St. Abibus (Avivos) — became one of only two of the Thirteen Fathers elevated to the episcopate: he was made bishop of Tsilkani (Mukhrani Valley, Kartli). As bishop he worked to root out pagan customs, taught the Gospel, and, according to tradition, cast out demons and healed the sick.

THE FAMOUS MIRACLE: according to tradition, the hierarch struck his staff over the Ksani River, causing part of it to break off and follow him, forming a channel that irrigates the surrounding land and still flows past the wall of the Tsilkani church to this day. He is also associated with the Tsilkani Icon of the Mother of God — an ancient Georgian relic dating to the era of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina (4th century), kept at Tsilkani Cathedral; a venerated copy is now among the chief relics of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.

He died in the late 6th century (according to one source, on August 18), having foreknown his death; healings occurred at his tomb. His relics rest in the Tsilkani Church of the Mother of God, between the altar and the sanctuary.

ON THE CATEGORY CORRECTION: the original stub gave the category as "righteous," although the text already called him "Bishop of Tsilkani" — this internal contradiction has been resolved. Sources diverge on his precise title: the official ROC title (patriarchia.ru) is "Venerable Ise (Jesse), Bishop of Tsilkani" (a hybrid monastic-hierarchical title reflecting his place within the ascetic tradition of the Syrian Fathers), while a number of sources call him directly "hierarch." Given his service as a ruling bishop, the category has been set to hierarch, with an explanation of the traditional dual titling.