Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Hieromartyr Abibus of Nekresi
VI в., ок. 510–570
Also known as: Авив Алавердский
Hieromartyr Abibus of Nekresi — one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers, bishop of Nekresi, stoned by the Persians for extinguishing a Zoroastrian sacred fire.
Hieromartyr Abibus (Abib) of Nekresi was one of the Thirteen Syrian (Assyrian) Fathers who came to Georgia (Iberia) in the 6th century under St. John of Zedazeni to strengthen the newly-planted Georgian monasticism. At the request of King Parsman VI of Kartli and Catholicos Evlavii, he accepted episcopal consecration and the see of Nekresi in Kakheti.
With apostolic zeal he traveled through the cities and villages of his diocese, rooting out superstition and extinguishing sacred fires at Zoroastrian shrines that the occupying Persians promoted, converting Georgians and mountain tribes alike. Alarmed by his success, the Persian marzban (governor) had him seized.
He was bound, beaten en route, imprisoned, and accused of "killing a god" by dousing a sacred flame. Refusing to renounce Christ, he was stoned to death near the village of Rekhi. His body was secretly recovered and buried at Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta.