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Saint Nina

About Saint Nina

Saint Nina, also known as the Enlightener of Georgia, holds an esteemed position in the Georgian Orthodox Church and the hearts of its believers. Her instrumental role in the conversion of Georgia to Christianity marks her as one of the most pivotal figures in Georgian history.

Feast Day

January 27

Birth Place

Cappadocia

Born

280

Reposed

332
Saint Nina

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Early Life and Education

01

Early Life and Education

Born in Cappadocia in the early 4th century, Saint Nina was related to Saint George and Saint Juvenal, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. From an early age, she felt a divine calling and was deeply spiritual. According to Georgian hagiography, the Virgin Mary appeared to her in a dream, granting her a cross made of grapevines, which she bound with her hair. This cross became a symbol of her mission and is now recognized as the Grapevine Cross or the Georgian Cross.

02

Ecclesiastical Career

Guided by divine visions, Saint Nina made her way to Georgia to spread the message of Christianity. At the time, paganism was the dominant religion in Georgia. With her deep faith, persistence, and the miraculous healing of Queen Nana of Iberia, Saint Nina rapidly gained a following. Her influence culminated in the conversion of King Mirian III, paving the way for the Christianization of Georgia in 337 AD.

Beyond her evangelistic endeavors, Saint Nina performed numerous miracles and healings, further solidifying her reputation as a holy woman blessed by God.

Ecclesiastical Career

Later Life and Canonization

03

Later Life and Canonization

Saint Nina retreated to the Bodbe Monastery in the Kakheti region, where she spent her last days in prayer and solitude, eventually reposing in the Lord around 338 or 340 AD. She was buried at the monastery, which has since become a significant pilgrimage site for Georgian Orthodox Christians.

The Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Nina on January 14 (January 27 in the Gregorian calendar) every year. Her impact on Georgian culture, spirituality, and history is monumental. She's not just a saint; she is considered the "mother" of Georgian Christianity.

04

Legacy

The life and mission of Saint Nina of Georgia serve as a timeless testament to unwavering faith, courage, and the transformative power of Christianity. Her Grapevine Cross remains a cherished symbol of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

To delve deeper into the life, miracles, and teachings of orthodox saints, explore our collection of books here. We invite you to journey with us as we uncover the lives and legacies of other influential figures in Orthodox Christianity.

Legacy

Relics

Where are the relics of Saint Nina

The relics of Saint Nina (also known as Saint Nino), who is credited with converting the Georgian people to Christianity in the 4th century, are enshrined in the Bodbe Monastery in the Kakheti region of Georgia. The monastery complex serves as a major pilgrimage site, especially for Georgian Orthodox Christians. Saint Nina's relics have been venerated there for centuries, and the monastery has played a central role in preserving the memory and traditions associated with her life and missionary work. Over the years, the Bodbe Monastery has undergone several restorations and renovations, but it continues to be a beacon of devotion for those who revere Saint Nina.

Other Saints from this region

Saint Grigol Peradze

Saint Grigol Peradze

Saint Grigol Peradze was a Georgian Orthodox priest, theologian, and historian. Revered for his contributions to church history and theology, he is best known for his selfless acts of compassion during World War II. Ordained as a priest in 1927, he subsequently moved to Poland where he served as a pastor and academic. When World War II broke out, he provided shelter and aid to refugees, including Jews, risking his life to help others in the face of Nazi persecution. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1942, he chose to go to Auschwitz in place of another prisoner. In the concentration camp, he continued to minister to others until his death in the gas chamber on December 6, 1942. Recognized as a martyr, he was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 1995, his life symbolizing the epitome of self-sacrifice, love, and devotion to humanity.
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Works written by Saint Nektarios

The Life of St. Nina

A beautiful new English edition of the Life of St. Nina, Peer of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, published by the Sisters of St. Nina's Monastery with the permission of the Bodbe Convent of St. Nino in Georgia, site of St. Nina's tomb. Richly illustrated by Georgian artist Nino Peradze, the full-color images of every page follow the many steps taken by Saint Nina on her way in heeding the call of the Mother of God, following Christ, and preaching the Gospel to an entire nation. Join her in continuing this mission of love and hope by learning her story and watching it unfold unto this day.

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History of Orthodoxy in Georgia

Eastern Orthodoxy in Georgia: Faith, Identity, and Culture in the Heart of the Caucasus

Step into the world of Eastern Orthodoxy in Georgia, a country nestled in the Caucasus, where this ancient faith has been the bedrock of national identity and culture for more than 1500 years. Georgia is home to the Georgian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, and Orthodoxy is an integral part of the Georgian ethos.
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This 365-page daily calendar book features the life of an Orthodox saint, insightful teachings from the Saints and elders of the Church, a list of all commemorations for the day, Gospel and Epistle readings, fasting guidelines, and references to feasts. The stories include the lives of Greek, Russian, Georgian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Serbian, English, Celtic, and American saints.

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