Saint Shio Mgvime is commemorated by the Georgian Orthodox Church on May 9th, but on Cheesefare Thursday a miracle of his is also commemorated that would take place every year at his grave.
Venerable Shio was one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia as Christian missionaries. Saint Shio is said to have spent his last years as a hermit in a deep cave near Mtskheta, subsequently named Shiomghvime ("the Cave of Shio") after him. It was here that he was laid to rest.
Venerable Shio was one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia as Christian missionaries. Saint Shio is said to have spent his last years as a hermit in a deep cave near Mtskheta, subsequently named Shiomghvime ("the Cave of Shio") after him. It was here that he was laid to rest.
The 19th-century historian Marie Brosset wrote that every year prior to the 18th century, on Cheesefare Thursday, the relics of Saint Shio rose up out of the ground from the place of their burial. Those who approached them in faith and reverence received healing of their afflictions.
In the 18th century the Persian Nader Shah (1736-1747) invaded Georgia. Hearing about this miracle and becoming convinced of its truth, the enraged shah assailed the monastery and destroyed the shrine containing the saint’s holy relics. A group of Christians later gathered Saint Shio’s holy relics and reburied them in their former place, but to this day they have never risen again.
In the 18th century the Persian Nader Shah (1736-1747) invaded Georgia. Hearing about this miracle and becoming convinced of its truth, the enraged shah assailed the monastery and destroyed the shrine containing the saint’s holy relics. A group of Christians later gathered Saint Shio’s holy relics and reburied them in their former place, but to this day they have never risen again.
