Abibos of Nekresi

Abibos of Nekressi (fl. 6th century) was one of the thirteen Assyrian apostles of Georgia and the bishop of Nekresi who arrived in Georgia under the leadership of St. Ioane of Zedazeni (John of Zedazeni).

He began his activity as bishop in a village located in the hills in the eastern region of Kakheti. According to the chronicle Life of Kartli, he spread Christianity not only among Georgians but also among mountain tribes such as the Dagestani/Didoians, the ancient predecessors of modern Dagestan.

At that time eastern Georgia was under Persian rule, where the dominant religion was Zoroastrianism. St. Abibos is said to have doused a sacred Zoroastrian flame with water.

His feast day had been kept on November 12 until 1700, but was later changed to December 12 (Gregorian calendar) and November 29 (Julian calendar).