The Martyr Abo Tbilisi, an Arab by birth, lived in Baghdad in the 8th century and was a manufacturer of fragrant ointments. At the age of 17-18, he ended up in Tbilisi, following the ruler of Kartli (Eastern Georgia), Nerses. Nerses, having been appointed before the caliph, spent three years in custody in Baghdad; released by the new caliph, he took Abo with him. Abo studied Georgian in Tbilisi. By his virtues, he earned the general love and respect of the people. Abo began to study the Holy Scriptures and increasingly visit the temples of God. 
Remaining in fasting and prayer, he sought an opportunity to receive Holy Baptism. At that time, the ruler of Kartli, Nerses, was again slandered before the caliph and summoned to Baghdad. Nerses, wanting to avoid reprisals, went north to Khazaria. Abo was also in his retinue of 300 people. It was in Khazaria that he received Holy Baptism. A few months later, following Nerses, Abo found himself in Abkhazia. There he led a strict ascetic life, constantly reflected on the Holy Scriptures, and prayed for a long time at church services. The bishop and bishop of Abkhazia became aware of the pious life of Saint Abo. They often called Saint Abo for spiritual conversation, marveling at his deep faith and knowledge. But, wishing to avoid worldly glory and imitating the feat of St. Anthony the Great, Saint Abo surrendered to silence and only three months later, on the day of the Bright Resurrection of Christ, broke his silence, praising and preaching the Risen Savior.
Soon Nerses decided to return to Tbilisi, and Abo fearlessly followed him, although the ruler of Abkhazia asked him to stay, fearing for his fate. In Tbilisi, which was then under the rule of the Mohammedans, Saint Abo openly confessed Christ the Savior and thereby incurred the vengeful wrath of the Persians. Saint Abo was imprisoned and then brought to trial. With persuasions and promises of all kinds of riches and honors, they tried to bring him back to Mohammedanism. And when they saw that Abo remained adamant, they threw him back into prison. On the 9th day of his imprisonment, the Angel of the Lord revealed to Saint Abo about the approaching day of his martyrdom.
At the third hour of the feast of the Epiphany, Saint Abo received the Holy Mysteries and was soon led away by the guards to be executed. Hoping to force the renunciation of Christ by fear, Saint Abo was stabbed three times with the blunt side of a sword. The martyr remained steadfast. He died after beheading an honest head on the same day, Friday, January 6, 786.
The body of Saint Abo was doused with oil and burned on the edge of a cliff at the place where the Tbilisi Metekhi Church was later built. "The Lord sent a star to that place, glowing like a lamp, which stood in the air until three o'clock in the morning and more... and it illuminated the whole of Tiflis." The bones of Saint Abo were thrown into the Kura River under the bridge. The next day, January 7, they were glorified by an amazing pillar of light emanating from the water, as witnessed by John Sabanisdze, a contemporary of Saint Abo, who compiled his life.