Abo of Tiflis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Abo of Tiflis القديس أبو التفليسي
Saint Abo of Tiflis
Born	Unknown (8th century) Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Died	About 6 January 786 Tbilisi, Emirate of Tbilisi
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodoxy Catholic Church
Feast	8 January

Saint Abo of Tiflis was a Christian martyr who lived a long time ago. He was born in Baghdad, which is now in Iraq, and was originally Muslim. He later moved to Tbilisi, the capital of modern-day Georgia, where he became a Christian. Abo is remembered for his strong faith and for spreading Christianity. He died for his beliefs in the year 786.

Abo's Early Life and Journey

Abo was born in Baghdad, an important city in the Arab world. He grew up as a Muslim. When he was about 17 or 18 years old, he traveled to Tbilisi. He went with a Georgian prince named Nerses. Prince Nerses had been held captive by the Caliph (a Muslim ruler). After Nerses was set free, Abo joined him on his journey.

Abo was very skilled at making fine perfumes and ointments. This job meant he knew a lot about chemistry.

Becoming a Christian

When Abo arrived in Eastern Georgia, he started to learn about Christianity. This change did not happen right away. He thought deeply about his faith. He even had strong discussions with Christian priests and bishops. These talks helped him become sure that Christianity was the truth.

At first, Abo was afraid to openly become a Christian. Eastern Georgia was under Arab rule at that time. So, he quietly stopped his daily Muslim prayers. Instead, he began to pray in a Christian way.

Baptism and Return to Tbilisi

For political reasons, Prince Nerses had to leave Georgia. He went to a place called Khazaria, which was not ruled by Muslims. Abo went with him. It was there, in Khazaria, that Abo was baptized as a Christian.

From Khazaria, Prince Nerses and Abo moved to Abkhazia. This area was also free from Arab rule. In Abkhazia, Abo lived a very devoted Christian life. He spent time in prayer and practiced self-discipline. He was preparing himself for his future mission.

In 782, Prince Nerses and his group returned to Tbilisi. Abo knew it might be dangerous for him there, but he followed them.

Spreading His Faith

For about three years, Abo openly shared his Christian faith in the streets of Tbilisi. He encouraged Christians who wanted to escape Arab rule. He also tried to convince his Arab friends to become Christians. People tried to threaten him and warn him, but he did not stop.

In 786, Abo was reported to the Arab officials in Tbilisi for being a Christian. He was arrested. The judge tried to make Abo go back to his old faith. But Abo bravely said he was a Christian during his trial. He was put in prison and then executed on January 6, 786.

A Georgian writer named Ioane Sabanisdze lived at the same time as Abo. He wrote a book about Abo's life. It is called The Martyrdom of Saint Abo. This book tells the story of Abo's strong faith and his death.

See also

• Anthony-Rawḥ al-Qurashī
• List of Georgians
• List of Iraqis

Images for kids

• 

  View of the church along Kura River.

• 

  Small chapel with mosaic of Saint Abo.

• 

  Mosaic of Christ at chapel of Saint Abo.

• 

  St. Abo of Tiflis church in Tbilisi.