The Coming of Saint Nino, Equal to the Apostles, into Georgia (323)

The coming of Saint Nino, equal to the apostles, into Georgia (+323). In Georgia, the lot of the Mother of God, the apostles had preached Christianity, but by the beginning of the fourth century the land was still held captive by paganism.

At the direction of the All-holy Virgin, the virgin Nino, equal to the apostles, set out for Iberia to enlighten the Georgian nation with the light of Christ.

Saint Nino went to Armenia with the virgin martyrs Rhipsime and Gaiane and their fifty companions (commemorated 30 September). After the martyr’s death of the holy virgins, Nino, by divine revelation, came near to Lake Paravani and entered Georgia over the mountains of Javakheti. “The rose and the almond were in blossom at that time”, while “the mountains of the north”, although it was the month of roses, “appeared full of snow and of cruel air”.

The Apostolic Church of Georgia celebrates the coming of Saint Nino, equal to the apostles, into Georgia with great solemnity. Besides this day, the Orthodox Church of Georgia commemorates Saint Nino on the day of her repose, 14 (27) January.

(For the Life and labours of Saint Nino see 14 January.)