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The Holy [[martyr]] '''Saint martyr Abu of Tbilisi''', +790 (was a well born [[muslim]] arab who accompanied the Georgian ruler Kartli Nerses when he returned to Georgia from Bagdad about the year 775. His interest in Christianity grew such that he became a Christian and suffered martyrdom. In Georgian transliteration his name is Abo. The martyr Abu is remembered on [[January 8/21 January).]]

==Life==Abu (in georgian transcription - Abo) was highborn Arab, born in Baghdad, and, according Bagdad. According to his biography, he was an "excellent connoisseur of mohammedan books" - that is the Qur’an and Law. We do not know, why ca. 775 he had fled from There is no information concerning his reasoning for leaving his home in Bagdad to travel to distant Georgia (emirate , the Emirate of Tbilisi)Tibilisi, together with only just rescued nor why he was an attendant to the released Georgian ruler by Kartli Nerses as one of his attendants. This blast was rather a tribute to his youth.

On According to his biographer, after his arrival to in Georgia, Abu, how the author his life reports, still remained a moslem, "has deserved love but apparently being learned and respect of receptive to new ideas, he studied the whole people". Probably this young Arab was a person of scientific habit of mind: he studies Georgian language and proceeds to the then continued serious study of the [[Holy Scripture|Holy Bible ]] and Christianity on the whole. He attends attended the [[Divine Liturgy, perceives ]] and perceived its meaning. He talks talked with educated Christians. All this Through these associations Abu was gradually convicts Abu convinced to make the decision to embrace Christianity as the christianity as a single true religion. It is very important for us , an action that he made in both his converting both heart and mind were participating.

For At the time being Abuof his decision, Georgia was subjected to political changed. Thus, like AchmedKalfa, does he did not declare himself a Christian. At this time political circumstances change and newly , but was among the 300 attendants who accompanied the deposed Nerses with 300 servitiors leave Kartli and set off in his exile to Chazaria. There Abu accepted [[baptism]].

There In Georgia, Stephen, a nephew of Nerses, became the ruler in Kartli. Stephen pleaded for Nerses’ return, which in time was granted, and Nerses, with Abu accepts baptism, returned to Georgia. After his return, Abu openly professed and preached about Christ in the Arabic quarters of Tbilisi without any ill will among the population. But, a rise in hostility grew to the “Apostate” among influential muslims.

Meantime Stephen, a nephew of NersesIn December 785, Abu was elected in Kartli as arrested for the first time for teaching Christ and thrown into the dungeon. Solicitation by the rulerStephen soon earned Abu’s freedom from the infidels, pleading but not for long. Abu’s foes informed the Kadi that Abu was born a muslim and only later converted to caliph Christianity. On this basis these muslims called repeatedly for his uncle's returnAbu’s re-arrest. Nerses (When some Christian friends heard about these demands and suggested that Abu) return to Georgia. For three years escape, he openly professes and preaches about answered, “I am ready for Christ in Arabic quarters of Tbilisi and nobody does , not venture only to cause him illstorments, but also to death. However hostility to "apostate" amongst influent muslims relentlessly rises” When taken before a judge, he went in peace with Christ.

In december 785 Abu’s appearance before the saint first judge followed the established proceedings. He was arrested offered cash awards and thrown in dungeongood career positions, that he spurned. After several daysthese unsuccessful proceeding, on solicitation of ruler Stephen, he Abu was freed. However the saint was not free for shackled and thrown into a long timedungeon to await his martyrdom. His foes inform kadi that Abu was born moslem While waiting ABu presented an amazing example of his veneration and already later converted in christianityhumility before God. He took the opportunity to sell his property through his friends, so on this base they with the some of the proceeds to benefit his own cellmates. He asked repeatedly that the money also be used for his arrest. Having heard about this delationincense, some Christians alert saint beforehandcandles, and offered to escape, but the saint peacefully answered to benedictions for churches with a request that: his memory be remembered in their prayers.

“I am ready for ChristOn the day of his martyrdom, not only Abu asked to tormentsreceive Holy [[Communion]]. This was recognized and in the third hour he was visited by a [[priest]]. After Communion Abu was led across the city to his execution site. After he saying his prayers, but also the executioner began his duty by three time using the dull side of the sword in an attempt to deathinduce fear in Abu and that he would return to [[islam]]. Not being successful, the executioner then took his full strokes, this was on [[January 6]], 786. ==Source==*[http://www.pravoslavie-islam.ru/maximoveng.htm Saint martyr Abu of Tbilisi, +790 (8/21 January)] [[Category:Saints]][[Category: Georgian Saints]][[Category:Martyrs]]