Orthodox Icon of St. Shio of Mvgime

Saint Shio of Mgvime

May 9th
Troparion
O Holy Father Shio, image of repentance and offering for the Georgian people, entreat God to grant us peace and great mercy!

St. Shio of Mgvime was one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers, being originally from Antioch. Upon hearing of the ascetic efforts of St. Ioane of Zedazeni, St. Shio, then twenty years old, went to see him in secret. St. Ioane agreed to accept him as a disciple upon the approval of his parents. Instead, St. Shio waited until his parents entered into monastic life, freed his parents' slaves, sold all his possessions and gave the money to the poor, orphans, widows, and hermits and then went to St. Ioane to be tonsured. St. Ioane tonsured him as a monk and gave him a blessing to remain in the wilderness with him. St. Shio labored there for twenty years and then traveled with St. Ioane and twelve others to Georgia. They settled on Zedazeni Mountain and then dispersed to teach the Faith throughout the country. St. Shio settled in the Sarkineti caves near Mtskheta and began a strict ascetic life. There was no water there and very little to eat. He was fed by ravens, not unlike St. Elijah. Through his prayers, he has received visions and performed many miracles. The ruler of Tsikhedidi and military adviser to King Parsman, St. Evagre, was hunting in the region St. Shio was settled in and upon encountering the saint, resolved to stay there with him. The news of Evagre's conversion spread and many came to witness St. Shio's miracles. Many remained, so a church was needed. St. Shio, after praying on where to build the church, placed a hot coal in his hand and sprinkled incense on it. Using his hand as a censor, he followed the smoke from the hot coal through the wilderness until the smoke no longer swirled, but stood straight up. He marked the place with his staff and a church was built there. A monastery grew there of nearly two thousand. Many visited and received healing from many diseases through St. Shio. After a time, St. Shio received a blessing to go into reclusion after appointing Evagre as his successor as abbot of the monastery. He spent fifteen years in prayer and fasting living in a well he dug for himself. He reposed there.

This Icon is by the hand of Lasha Kintsurashvili.

Order # lkg-20.