Evagrisi

Saint Evagrisi, a disciple of Saint Shio of Mgvime, was born to God-⁠fearing and pious parents who read the Holy Scriptures to him from his earliest childhood. When he reached manhood he became ruler of Tsikhedidi.

One day, hunting in the Sarkineti Mountains where Shio had settled, he was left alone and saw a bird like a dove carrying food to Father Shio, and he noted where it landed. The next day he found the hermit's cave. Astonished at Shio's strict asceticism, Evagrisi longed to follow him and said: "God is truly alive; I will not leave you, I will not go back." Shio advised him not to decide in haste, since it would be hard for a man raised in luxury to begin at once a life in the wilderness. Evagrisi answered firmly: "Even if I must die here with you, I will not depart from this place."

To test his faith, Shio gave him his staff and said: "Put my staff in the river Mtkvari; it will part the water and make a path for you. Put your house in order and come back to me. On your return use the staff again; if it fails, go on as before, for it is not God's will." Evagrisi touched the water with the staff, the river parted, and he crossed. Back at the palace he gave his possessions to the poor, secured his home and set out again for Father Shio. On his return the miracle was repeated.

Shio tonsured him a monk, and the former ruler settled near the elder's cave, where he learned patience, watchfulness and prayer. Foreseeing that the monks in the wilderness would multiply, Shio built a church in a place God had shown. The fame of the fathers spread, and many pilgrims came to the Sarkineti Mountains for a blessing. When King Parsman heard that his beloved army chief had become a monk, he was grieved and went in person to Shio's wilderness to bring him back to the world. The saint answered with monastic calm: "O king, why do you disturb me, a man born to serve God, asking me to be like a dog returning to its vomit?" The news spread through Georgia, and many laymen entered the monastic life.

After many years Shio grew old and gathered the brethren: "Choose one of you to lead this community. From now on I will labor in the well I have prepared for my grave." The brothers were deeply grieved, but at last they asked him to name a successor, and Shio chose Evagrisi. The humble Evagrisi objected, thinking himself unfit, but the elder said: "If you consent to our will, you will receive a joyous reward from God." Evagrisi accepted the counsel and directed the monastery, with God's help, from that day on. He is commemorated on 4 February (new style; 17 February on the old calendar).