Venerable Ise (Jesse) of Tsilkani

St. Ise (Jesse) of Tsilkani was born in Syrian Antioch into a devout Christian family. In the mid-6th century he came to Kartli (eastern Georgia) together with St. John of Zedazeni and twelve other Syrian ascetics to strengthen Christianity and monasticism in the land. By lot — cast according to the command of the Theotokos — he was appointed to the see of Tsilkani and consecrated bishop by Catholicos Evlavios. As bishop he taught the people, healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed many miracles, becoming renowned not only in Georgia but also among the Ossetian tribes of Ossetia-Alania, to whom he sent the first Georgian missionaries. He is venerated as one of the great enlighteners of eastern Georgia and one of the founders of Georgian monasticism. His relics, glorified by healing miracles even at his burial, were laid to rest in the Church of the Theotokos at Tsilkani, between the altar and the table of oblation.