Shio, David, Gabriel and Paul of Akhalkalaki

The holy monk-⁠martyrs Shio, David, Gabriel and Paul of Akhalkalaki (Shio the New) labored in the David Gareji wilderness at the end of the seventeenth century. Shio was from the village of Vedzisi in Kartli; his parents, Papuna and Tamar, were wealthy and influential and had eight children, five sons and three daughters. After their parents died, Shio's brothers quarreled so intensely over their inheritance that the eldest finally killed the youngest. Deeply disturbed, Shio sought to withdraw from the vanity of a world in which brother can murder brother and son can murder father. He confessed his desire to his spiritual father, who advised him to go to the David Gareji Monastery and be tonsured a monk. The abbot, Father Onopre (Machutadze), had invited him several times: "Come, brother Shio, and let us finish our lives here."

Onopre received Shio with great joy, since he was already revered by many for his faith and chastity, directed him to a cell and clothed him as a novice. Shio's tireless labors, humility and love for his brothers inspired many to seek his counsel, and the abbot often trusted him with the affairs of the monastery in his absence. Once, when Onopre left on business and Shio was in charge, a band of Dagestani robbers stormed the monastery grounds after Vespers and the evening meal, when the exhausted brothers were settling to rest. They ransacked the monastery, captured Hieromonk Shio and the monks David, Gabriel and Paul and killed them. Some of the remaining brothers tried to flee but were caught and brutally slain.

The cells were soaked with blood. The Dagestanis, still unsatisfied, destroyed nearly all the monastery's property, stole some of the vestments, cut the rest into pieces and tossed them in a well, and hacked the holy icons to pieces with their axes. With the blessing of the catholicos and by order of the king, the mutilated relics of the holy martyrs were buried in the courtyard south of the grave of Saint David of Gareji. They are commemorated on 1 June (new style; 14 June on the old calendar).