My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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ON THE 14th OF JANUARY, THE HOLY CHURCH COMMEMORATES OUR HOLY MOTHER NINA, EQUAL-TO-THE APOSTLES, ENLIGHTENER OF GEORGIA
Nina (better known in Georgia as Nino), our holy Mother, and her missions among the Georgians, also known as the Iberians, were foretold on the day of Pentecost. This land today is situated in western Transcaucasia, bounded by the Black Sea, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. According to Georgian tradition, the holy Apostle Andrew, the First-called and Apostle first preached Christianity in those parts, leaving as his successor Saint Nina.
The Lot of Iberia-Georgia Falls to the Mother of God
Stephen the Hagiorite records the following narrative. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), the Apostles cast lots that they might determine where each should go and preach the Gospel. The Virgin-Mother also requested a lot for herself, so that she might share in the preaching. Therefore, she said, "I too, desire to take part in the preaching of the Gospel and wish to cast my lot with you to receive the land which God shall show." Then with fear and reverence, they cast for the Theotokos; and her lot fell on the Iberian land. The Most Pure Mother of God then joyfully accepted her lot.
After the day of Pentecost, the Theotokos was planning to set out for Iberia at once, but the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, restraining her, saying, "Virgin Birth-giver of God, Jesus Christ Who was born of thee, thus commands: 'Thou shall not depart from the land of Judea, that is Jerusalem. The place assigned as thy lot is not Iberia but Macedonia's peninsula, Mount Athos. After some time thou wilt have the work of preaching in the land to which God will guide thee. This place shall be greatly blessed and illuminated in the light of thy countenance.' The Archangel then revealed to her the following about the Iberian land: "The land which fell to thee will be enlightened in the latter days, by another woman, and thy dominion will be established there." These words were fulfilled three centuries later when the Virgin Mary sent Saint Nina, "Equal-to-the-Apostles," whom she blessed and helped in proclaiming the Gospel to the Iberians.
Saint Nina and Her Family
Nina, our holy mother, hailed from Cappadocia. She was the only daughter of pious parents. Her father, Zabulon, was a Roman general and a kinsman of Saint George the Great-Martyr. Zabulon originally came from Cappadocia but was stationed in various places. Nina's mother, Susanna, was also from Cappadocia. Susanna's parents had reposed early and left two children, unprotected by human means. Susanna and her brother Jevenal decided to take the long journey to the holy land and Jerusalem. The two orphans found refuge in the Church of the Resurrection. At length, Juvenal was appointed as a steward (economos) of the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ. Susanna went into the service of the most pious Deaconess Niofora (Sara-Niofora) of Bethlehem.
Following the marriage between Zabulon and Susanna, the newlyweds decided to return to their homeland of Cappadocia. This blessed couple gave birth to the blessed Nina, the enlightener of Georgia. When Nina was twelve years old, she accompanied her parents to the holy city of Jerusalem. Her father Zabulon, for the great love which he bore God, decided to become a monk. With the consent of his wife and with the blessing of the bishop, Zabulon took refuge in the wilderness of Jordan, where he remained concealed as a hermit. When he bade farewell to his young daughter, it was a tearful parting. Zabulon commended her to the care of God, the Father, and the Protector of widows and orphans. Zabulon then said to Nina, "Fear nothing, my girl. Be the sister of Lazarus. If thou wilt love Christ as they did, then His grace shall never depart from thee."
Susanna took her daughter and went to her brother at the Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Juvenal made Susanna a deaconess, and she served in the Church of the Resurrection, her duties including ministering to the poor and giving assistance to women in need of help. Nina, for her rearing and education, was assigned to the pious Eldress (Gerondisa) Niofora, who knew well Christian truths. Nina was intelligent, quick-witted, and attentive. After two years of study under Niofora's tutelage, the apt Nina, with the grace of God, was well versed in the doctrines and canons of the Faith. Diligent study of the Holy Scripture on a daily basis bore much fruit.
Day and night the holy maiden kept constant in fervent prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, entreating her and saying, "Vouchsafe me, O Lady, that I might go to the Iberian land, that I might venerate thy beloved Sons' tunic, which thou didst fashion with tine own hands!" It was believed that the tunic was kept in the city of Mitskhera, Iberia by a rabbi named Elioz, who obtained it from the soldier who had won it by lot at the foot of the Cross. The soldiers did not wish to tear Jesus' tunic (χιτών), which "was seamless, woven from the top throughout," so they said, "Let us obtain it by lot for whom it shall be (cf. John 19:23; 24; Luke 23:34). The Panagia or All-Holy Mother of God heard the maiden's supplication and appeared to Nina in her sleep, saying, "Go to Iberia, since thou dost so desire it! Moreover, thou shalt preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people who inhabit that land, for they are unenlightened. Christ shall grant thee an abundance of grace, and I shall also help thee." The humble Nina replied, "I am just a weak maiden. How can I be vouchsafed such an important ministry? How shall I perform such great work?" The Theotokos answered, "Take this cross. It shall be a shield and guard against enemies both visible and invisible. Thou shalt raise up this saving sign of the Faith. By the power of the Cross, thou shalt lead the land of the Iberians to faith and belief in my beloved Son 'Whom willeth all men to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4)." When the holy maiden awakened from her sleep, she beheld that marvelous cross in her hands. Even as in the vision, it was fashioned from vine shoots. With tears, she began kissing the cross. She next cut a portion of her tresses and braided it to the cross.
Saint Nina began boldly and openly preaching the Gospel word. She invited the Iberians, both the idolaters and Jews, to come to repentance and believe in Christ. Her piety, righteousness, prudence, and pure manner of life were known to all so that they willingly heeded her preaching. Man, especially among the Hebrew women, were oftentimes going to her that they might listen to her words and new teaching concerning the Kingdom of God and everlasting salvation. As a result, many of them became secret Christians.
Saint Nina was assured by divine signs that the Kingdom of God and the salvation of the Iberians were near. She did not cease preaching the word of God to the people. In this holy labor, she toiled together with her disciples, especially Sidonia and her father Abiathar. The king's consort, Queen Nana, a gravely ill woman, was harsh and a fanatical devotee of the inanimate idols. She had been responsible for the erection of the statue of the shameless Aphrodite in Iberia. She also condemned the Christians in a private capacity. But the grace of God which heals all sicknesses and weakness and fulfills all that is lacking quickly cured even Nana of her disease.
This came about when Nana the Queen had become extremely ill. The Queen was brought to St. Nina. Nina bade those close to the queen to place on her on the bed of leaves. Saint Nina then knelt down and offered up a fervent prayer, entreating the Lord, the Physician of souls and bodies, to heal the queen. Then the Saint took her cross and placed it n the head of the sick woman. She repeated this on the queen's feet, shoulders, and sides. Thus she traced over the queen the sign of the Cross. After this had been done, the queen rose up from the bed healthy. The queen then gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and boldly confessed to Saint Nina, the people, and then her husband, that Christ is True God. Nana made Saint Nina her particular and trusted friend and her only confidante.
After her holy mission was completed Saint Nina received a divine revelation of her approaching end. Concerning this, she informed king Mirian by letter. The Saint invoked upon the king and his kingdom the blessing of God and the All-Holy Virgin. She also supplicated God to send for their protection and fortification the invincible power of the Cross of the Lord. She also wrote: "As a pilgrimage and wayfarer on the earth, I am leaving this world and am going the way of my fathers. I beseech thee, O king, to ask Bishop John to come to me that he might prepare me for the everlasting course because the day of my death approaches." Then in peace, after years of serving an Apostolic ministry, she surrendered her soul into the hands of God. Saint Nina reposed on the 14th day of January, in the year 338 A.D. She was 67 years old. In the year 342 A.D. king Mirian laid the foundation of a church at her grave. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George