Mikel Parekheli

Holy Venerable Michael of Parekhi (Mikel Parekheli) was a Georgian ascetic, a native of the village of Norgiali in the Shavsheti region of southern Georgia, and the founder of the monastery of Parekhi.

He was tonsured a monk in the Midznadzori Wilderness. He then went to Khandzta Monastery and, with the blessing of the brotherhood, built nearby a small chapel and dwelling for monks, in a cave on the face of a cliff, difficult to reach. The new monastery was called Parekhi, meaning "Cave". God was pleased with his work and gave him the gift of working wonders. Through a divine revelation he was instructed to send his disciples Serapion and John to the region of Samtskhe, where they founded a beautiful monastery in the village of Zarzma.

After some time he left his cell and settled on the top of a large boulder. Once the devil made him fall from the rock, but the Lord protected him and he remained unharmed. Frightened, Michael sent his disciples to bring Saint Gregory of Khandzta, to whom he told what had happened. Gregory calmed him, set up a cross on either side of the cell and told him that these two crosses of Christ would protect him.

He reached a great old age and was buried at Parekhi Monastery. Many pilgrims who came to his grave were healed of illnesses. According to Basil of Zarzma, his disciples wrote accounts of his labours, wisdom and miracles after his repose, but these have not survived; his life is known from hagiographic writings of the tenth and eleventh centuries. He is commemorated on 27 May by the old calendar.