Venerable Abibus (Aviv), Bishop of Nekresi

Hieromartyr Abibus (Aviv) of Nekresi was one of the Thirteen Syrian (Assyrian) Fathers who came to Georgia in the sixth century under St. John of Zedazeni to strengthen the young Christian faith in Kartli and Kakheti. At the request of King Parsman VI of Kartli and Catholicos Evlabios, he was consecrated bishop of Nekresi in Kakheti. Filled with apostolic zeal, Bishop Abibus traveled through the towns and villages of his diocese carrying a cross, destroying pagan shrines and extinguishing the sacred fires promoted by the occupying Persians in their Zoroastrian temples. In the village of Rekhi he again extinguished a fire kindled by fire-worshippers and was seized by the local Persian ruler. Refusing to renounce Christ despite severe torture, he continued denouncing idolatry and was stoned to death, his body left for wild beasts. Tradition holds his relics remained incorrupt and were later secretly transferred to Samtavro Monastery.