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Abo TiflisMartyr, patron saint of the city of Tbilisi
Date of Birth: 01.01.0757
Country:  Iraq |
Content:
- St. Abo Tbileli, the Martyr and Patron Saint of Tbilisi
- Early Life and Conversion
- Persecution and Martyrdom
- Legacy and Veneration
- Historical Significance
St. Abo Tbileli, the Martyr and Patron Saint of Tbilisi
St. Abo Tbileli is a revered martyr and the patron saint of Tbilisi, Georgia. His memory is observed by the Georgian Orthodox Church on January 8th according to the Julian calendar (January 21st in the Gregorian calendar).
Early Life and Conversion
Born in Arabia, Abo worked as a perfumer in Baghdad. In 775, he accompanied Ners, a Georgian ruler, to Tbilisi, then under the dominion of the Arab Caliphate. During his stay, Abo encountered Christian teachings and engaged in theological debates. After careful consideration, he embraced the Christian faith.
Persecution and Martyrdom
In 781, Ners fled to Khazaria, where Abo joined him. There, Abo was baptized and became a monk. He returned to Tbilisi in 782 and openly preached Christianity to the Arab population. However, this drew the ire of the Arab emir, who imprisoned Abo and brutally beheaded him on the day of the Baptism of the Lord. According to legend, his body was burned, and the ashes were scattered in the Kura River.
Legacy and Veneration
Reports of supernatural occurrences at the site of Abo's martyrdom prompted the construction of the iconic Metekhi Cathedral in the 13th century. A street in Tbilisi bears his name, honoring his unwavering faith and sacrifice. His life and martyrdom have inspired countless believers and cemented his status as a beloved patron saint.
Historical Significance
The account of Abo Tbileli's life and martyrdom, written by Johannes Sabanidze, is one of the most valuable ancient sources on Georgian history. It reflects the influence of Basil the Great's sermons, the Areopagite writings, and early Georgian hagiographies. The text has been incorporated into numerous collections of saint's lives and has undergone revisions over time.
