Bessarion of Gareji

Holy Venerable Martyr Bessarion of Gareji was a wandering monk of the David Gareji desert, in Georgia, killed by Lezgins in the summer of 1851, together with six other fathers: Gerontius, Serapion, Germanus, Bessarion, Michael, Simon and Otar. At that time a great band of Lezgins fell upon the David Gareji Lavra, and the monks were tortured and killed. After their death a great light descended upon the martyrs. They are commemorated on 12 August, old style (25 August, new style). The account of their sufferings was written by the monk Isaac of Gaenati, who had been taken captive with them.