Stephen of Khirsa

Holy Venerable Stephen of Khirsa was one of the thirteen venerable Syrian fathers who brought monasticism to Georgia in the second half of the sixth century, a disciple of the venerable John of Zedazeni.

The venerable John of Zedazeni and his twelve disciples, Abibus, Anthony, David of Gareja, Zeno, Thaddeus, Isé, Joseph, Isidore, Michael, Pyrrhus, Stephen and Shio, were Syrian (Cappadocian) ascetics and the founders of Georgian monasticism, who came to Georgia from Cappadocia in the middle of the sixth century. The thirteen fathers were probably Georgians, educated in the famous Lavra of Saint Simeon the Stylite and other monasteries of Syria and Mesopotamia in order to return home and help its Christian enlightenment. John of Zedazeni, their head, had studied at Antioch. He took the monastic habit young and gave himself to the retired life, gaining meekness, humility and the gift of wonders. The fame of his struggles gathered many disciples, among whom he chose twelve by lot. In a dream the Mother of God commanded him to send his disciples through Georgia to proclaim the Word of God. Some went to Kakheti (Zeno, and later Stephen), others to Kartli (Pyrrhus, Michael, Thaddeus and Isidore). They taught the people, dispelled the darkness of superstition, destroyed the idols and shrines that remained in the mountain gorges, and raised the holy cross and holy churches.

Saint Stephen, "crowned with strength and knowledge", after long apostolic labours in Lower Kakheti, founded a monastery near the place of Khirsa. He was buried in the cathedral dedicated to the Holy First Martyr Stephen, on the left side of the altar, by the table of oblation. John of Zedazeni fell asleep between the years 557 and 560, in the time of Catholicos Macarius, in a cave on Mount Zedazeni, where at the end the heavens opened to him, and earthquakes did not cease until the disciples carried his body to the place he had chosen.

Stephen is commemorated on 20 May, in the new style.