Venerable Stephen of Khirsa (VI)

The blessed Stephen was one of the thirteen Syrian fathers. The written sources that told of his life have not come down to us. The holy father laboured in a monastery near Antioch. He was a disciple of John of Zedazeni and, naturally, one of those who held the lot chosen by the angel.

In obedience to God and with great joy Saint Stephen set out for newly converted Iveria.

To the disciples who had settled on the mountain of Zedazeni John “gave a commandment and teaching by which he strengthened them”, and sent them out to preach in various parts of eastern Georgia. “Zenon and Stephen went to Kakheti and went round it preaching God.”

Saint Stephen “built his dwelling near the village of Khirsa, in the name of Saint Stephen”. Khirsa is in the region of Kiziqi. Although particular examples of the wonder-working life of Stephen of Khirsa no longer survive, there is no doubt that he “worked countless mighty works and signs upon the earth, for many are the miracles” wrought by the Syrian fathers. “Having laboured much afterwards in lower Kakheti,” the blessed father reposed in peace. In the monastery he had built “his holy body was laid, full of miracles and signs”.