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==Life==
Besarion Khelaia was born on [[September 7]], 1861 in Martvili, Georgia. He received his primary education at the theological school in Samegrelo, before entering the Tiblisi Theological Seminary. After his graduation in 1885, Besarion married, and then was [[ordination|ordained ]] to the [[Holy Orders]] later that year. Fr. Besarion served as [[priest]] in Abkhazia for eight years in Sukhumi, New Athos, and Lykhy. In addition to his priestly duties, Fr. Besarion taught the Georgian language and participated in a number of philanthropic organizations. He also published a series of articles under the pseudonym of Amber denouncing the policy of Russification in Abkhazia.
In 1896, Fr. Besarion's wife died. In 1897, he enrolled in the [[Kazan Theological Academy]]. During his time at the academy, Fr. Besarion was interested in both the literary-cultural life of Kazan and in Georgian national independence. His research in the primary sources about the history of Georgia produced several essays including one entitled "The Struggle Between Christianity and Islam in Georgia". One professor recommended that he continue on that theme and present his research for a master's degree.
Such a memorandum was unprecedented for the Bolshevik regime and the response by them was immediate. In February 1923, Patr. Ambrose and his council were arrested and imprisoned. In a public show trial, Patr. Ambrose and his fellow clergy were accused of hiding historic treasures of the Church in order to keep them from passing into the hands of the Soviet state. In his defense at the end of the trial, Patr. Ambrose stated, ''My soul belongs to God, my heart to my country; you, my executioners, do what you will with my body."
While expecting execution, the Bolsheviks did not dare to execute him and sentenced Patr. Ambrose to eight years imprisonment. His property was also confiscated. During the time of his imprisonment from 1923, Metr. Kalistrate was locum tennestenens. The public outcry over the extent of the Red Terror in Georgia caused the Bolsheviks to moderate their pressure on Georgian society. In March 1926, the Bolsheviks put forward an amnesty for the 1924 insurrection and suspension of religious persecutions. Later in 1926, Ambrose and a few Georgian clergy were released from prison. However, the strains of the years showed, and Patr. Ambrose soon reposed in Tbilisi on [[March 29]], 1927.
==Glorification==
[[Category: Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia ]]
[[Category: Kazan Theological Academy Graduate]]
[[Category:20th-century saints]]
