Ephraim the Great of Atsquri

Venerable Ephraim the Great of Atsquri, one of the most important figures of the Georgian Church in the eighth and ninth centuries, was a disciple and companion of Saint Grigol of Khandzta. On his way from Klarjeti in southern Georgia to Abkhazeti in the northwest, Grigol met the young Ephraim, perceived in him a like-⁠minded companion and the future wonderworker and bishop of Atsquri, and promised to take him as his disciple. On the way back to Klarjeti he took Ephraim together with another youth, Arsenius, the future Catholicos of Georgia, and entrusted the upbringing of the two to his spiritual sons Christopher and Theodore. The brothers of Khandzta objected to the arrival of the youths, since the monastery's rules forbade young visitors. But Grigol told them that God had revealed this as His will and that, raised in the monastery, the young men would be like spiritual successors of Saint Ephraim the Syrian and Saint Arsenius the Great.

Ephraim was later consecrated bishop of Atsquri and became a major figure in the Church of his time. He contributed significantly to the definitive strengthening of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church: as a result of his labors, the Georgian Church received a blessing from Antioch to prepare its own chrism in Mtskheta. He administered the diocese of Atsquri for forty years, and God endowed him with the gifts of prophecy, wonderworking and healing. He lived to an advanced age and reposed peacefully. Even today those who approach his holy relics in faith are healed of infirmities. He is also mentioned in the Life of Saint Arsenius the Great (commemorated 25 September). Ephraim is commemorated on 15 April (new style; 28 April on the old calendar).