Day of Remembrance of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, educator of Georgia (27/01)

On January 27, according to the new style, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, the educator of Georgia.

Saint Nina was born around 280 in Cappadocia. Her father Zebulun came from a noble family and was related to the holy great martyr George. Susanna's mother was the sister of the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

From the age of 12, Nina was brought up in Jerusalem, showing obedience and reading the Holy Scriptures with diligence. One day she became interested in the fate of the incorruptible Chiton of the Lord and read that, according to legend, he was transferred to Iveria (as Georgia was previously called). Upon learning that Georgia had not yet converted to Christianity, Nina began to pray to the Blessed Virgin, asking for her help in apostolic ministry and finding the Chiton of the Lord. The Virgin Mary, having heard the prayers of the young righteous woman, appeared to her in a dream, presented her with a cross made of grapevine and sent her to Iveria, promising her protection.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem blessed Nina for the feat of apostolic service. Miraculously escaping martyrdom from the Armenian king Tiridates along the way, she arrived in Georgia around 319. In Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, a preacher found shelter in the family of a childless gardener; with her prayers she helped his wife resolve her infertility and believe in Christ. The fame of Nina spread in the surrounding area. On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, through the prayer of St. Nina, a storm overthrew pagan idols from a high mountain.

Later, Saint Nina healed the Georgian queen Nana from a serious illness. Having been baptized, she became a zealous Christian. However, even despite the miraculous healing of his wife, King Mirian, at the instigation of the pagans, almost subjected Saint Nina to severe torment. What saved her was that the sun faded and an impenetrable darkness covered the city. The king suddenly went blind, and the horror-stricken retinue began to beg its pagan idols for the return of daylight, but in vain. Then they cried out to God. The darkness instantly dissipated and the sun shone. King Mirian, healed by Saint Nina from blindness, was baptized along with his retinue.

At the place where the Chiton of the Lord was opened to St. Nina, the first Christian church in Georgia was erected. In 324, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, at the request of King Mirian, sent a bishop, two priests and three deacons to Georgia, and Christianity was finally established in the country.

Having received news from above of her imminent death, Saint Nina asked King Mirian to send Bishop John to her. Together with the bishop, the king himself arrived along with the entire clergy. At St. Nina's deathbed, they witnessed many healings.

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