Fathers of Shio-⁠Mgvime Monastery

The Fathers of Shio-⁠Mgvime Monastery are the holy monks around the Thirteen Syrian Fathers, who came to Georgia in the sixth century after receiving the blessing of the Mother of God for their journey. They settled on Mount Zedazeni and lived in prayer and fasting. Their spiritual leader, John (Ioane), then sent them to do good works in various regions of Georgia. The founding of many monasteries and the revival of monastic life in the country are linked with their names.

John sent his disciple Shio, the son of a God-⁠fearing Antiochian nobleman, to live in the nearby Sarkineti mountains. According to tradition, a dove brought him food in that harsh wilderness. A ruler, Evagre of Tsikhedidi, often came hunting in the region, met Shio and was so struck by his way of life that he gave up all he had and stayed with him; at Shio's death he was appointed abbot.

John remained on Zedazeni with only one disciple, the deacon Ilia, who was also an ascetic of prayer and fasting. The mountain had no water, and Ilia carried it from the river Aragvi. Seeing his labor, John prayed with tears, and a spring began to flow at the summit. Once Ilia saw an enormous bear at the spring and fled in fright. John came and said to the bear: "Drink if you are thirsty and go away; from now on neither you nor your kind shall do harm to anyone on this mountain." The bear bowed its head and left, and it is said that the animals obey that command to this day.

Ilia stayed with John for the rest of his life. The Church of Georgia honors them on 4 January (new style; 17 January on the old calendar), together with Evagre and the other blessed elders who lived alongside the Thirteen Syrian Fathers.