Evagrius of Shio-⁠Mgvime

Holy Venerable Evagrius of Shio-⁠Mgvime was a noble of Kartli, ruler of Tsikhedidi, the son of pious parents, who from adolescence studied the Holy Scripture.

One day, hunting on his estates in the Sarkineti mountains, he suddenly saw a strange bird, like a dove, which was carrying food in its beak somewhere. Noting the direction in which it flew, he went there the next day and found in a cave an elder at prayer. Astonished at what he saw, Evagrius was filled with holy zeal and gently asked the holy father to let him stay with him.

Saint Shio at first refused, but Evagrius pressed him. Shio wished to learn the will of God and to test the resolve of the one who asked. He gave him his staff and said: Put this staff into the river Mtkvari; the river will part and you will cross on dry land. Go home and put your estates in order. On your return put the staff into the river again and, if the river parts before you again, come to me, but if not, go back home, for the Lord does not wish what you seek.

Returning home, Evagrius put his estates in order, provided his household and servants with everything necessary, distributed his property to the poor and returned to Father Shio. On the way back the wonder was repeated: the river parted before him, opening the way for one who had entered upon the path of the angelic life. The report of the labours of the venerable Shio and Evagrius spread through all Georgia, and many left the world and began the monastic life.

When he reached deep old age, Saint Shio gathered the brothers and said to them: Choose one of you to be shepherd of this brotherhood, for the time of my seclusion has come. I have decided to go down into the cave that I prepared as dwelling and grave for myself. At the brothers' request, Saint Shio chose the venerable Evagrius as abbot. He accepted the burden of abbot with obedience and, with God's help and the prayers of Father Shio, governed the monastery wisely.

He is commemorated on 11 March, a day that moves in the calendar. His name is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church.