Brief biography of the Equal-to-the-Apostles saint
The biography of Saint Nina is known from Salome of Ujarma, who wrote it down from the words of Equal-to-the-Apostles shortly before her death.
Origin and childhood
Nina was born in 280 in Cappadocia, the central region of modern Turkey. She was the only daughter of pious Christians Zebulun and Sosana. It is known about the saint’s parents that her father, a noble and wealthy Roman, served as a military commander for Emperor Maximilian and enjoyed his trust. The mother was the sister of the Jerusalem Patriarch Juvenal.
When the girl was 12 years old, the family moved to Jerusalem. Father and mother decided to devote the rest of their lives to serving the Lord: the father took monastic vows and became a hermit in the desert, the mother accepted the rank of deaconess at the temple from her brother Juvenal. Nina's further education was entrusted to Elder Nianfora. Nianfora instilled in the girl pious behavior and told many stories from the Gospel about the life and suffering of Jesus Christ. By the age of 14, Nina knew and read the Holy Scriptures well.
She was especially struck by the story of Christ's robe. The clothes taken from the Savior before the crucifixion were divided among the Roman legionnaires by lot. She was tormented by the question of the whereabouts of the robe woven for Jesus by the Mother of God. Nianfora explained to her that, according to legend, the tunic was bought by Rabbi Eleazar and taken to Iveria (the ancient name of Georgia) - a country where the Christian faith did not spread.
The young girl began to pray to the Mother of God to bless her to visit Iberia to venerate the sacred relic. The Blessed Virgin heard her prayers and appeared to Nina in a dream. In the hands of the Mother of God was a cross made of grapevine, which she handed over to the righteous woman with parting words: to go to Iberia with the word of God, where the cross will be her protection from open and secret enemies. The Most Pure Mother of God promised Nina that she would be her patroness in righteous deeds.
Waking up from sleep, the girl saw that she was holding a cross in her hands. With tears of joy, she tied him with her hair and hurried to Uncle Juvenal. Nina informed him of a prophetic vision and desire to preach the Gospel in Iberia. The Patriarch of Jerusalem blessed her before the altar for her apostolic service.
Pilgrimage feat
On the way to Iveria, Princess Hripsimia joined Saint Nina with her retinue of 50 girls and her nurse Gaiania. Having accepted the saint’s sermons, they converted to Christianity. Refusing marriage with the pagan Roman emperor, Hripsimia followed the saint to Armenia. King Tiridates decided to persuade her to marry him, but, having received a refusal, ordered the princess and all the women accompanying her to be tortured and executed.
Only Nina was saved, whom the Lord saved by telling her to take refuge in the rosehip bushes. Having passed through mountain passes, the saint entered Iveria and stopped to rest on the shores of Lake Paravan. At night she dreamed of a saint who handed her a paper for the Iverinsky king Mirian. It contained 10 sayings that explained the purpose of Nina’s arrival in the mountainous country.
Strengthened by the vision and appeal to the Mother of God, the preacher entered the city of Urbnisi and lived among the pagans for a month, observing their customs. Together with them, she went to the capital of Iveria, Mtskheta, where the ceremony of worshiping the golden idol Armaz was to take place.
The spectacle of idolatry saddened the saint to tears. She prayed to the Lord to show his power and help convince the pagans to accept Christianity. The Lord heard her prayer. During the ceremony, a strong wind rose, clouds thickened, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. The idol fell to the ground and broke into pieces. People, seeing such a spectacle, fled in fear.
Nina settled in Mtskheti with the royal gardener, where she lived for about a year, preaching the word of God among the townspeople. Anastasia, the gardener's wife, was barren. Nina prayed to the Mother of God that the good family would have a child. A miracle happened, Anastasia gave birth to a child. She and her husband believed in the Savior.
The Equal-to-the-Apostles confirmed her sermons with miracles. More and more people accepted Christianity. The royal couple did not believe and opposed the belief in one God. In the absence of King Mirian, Queen Nana became seriously ill. Her maids turned to the saint so that she would come to the royal palace and heal the queen.
The preacher refused to go to the palace, but called Nana to appear to her and promised healing. The queen came to the saint and after her prayer she felt that she was no longer sick. She believed in Christ and told her husband about it. Mirian angrily promised to return to Mtskheti and execute all Christians, including his wife and Nina. At that very moment he became blind.
After futile appeals to the pagan gods, the king prayed to the Lord and vowed to accept faith, build a temple for prayer and fulfill the commandments of God. After these words, Mirian’s vision returned, who, falling to his knees, thanked the Savior. Returning to the palace, the king called Equal-to-the-Apostles and said that he, too, accepted the faith of Christ.
The preacher advised him to baptize the entire people, turning to the Byzantine ruler Constantine for help. Mirian sent envoys to Byzantium with a request to send a bishop and priests. In 324, the Georgian people acquired the Orthodox faith.
The mountaineers remained in the pagan faith. Equal to the Apostles, together with the deacon and presbyter, rose to the sources of the rivers Aragvi and Iori, where in the mountain villages she preached the commandments of the Lord and baptized into Orthodoxy.
The saint was revealed in a dream where the robe of Jesus Christ is located. She pointed out to the king the cypress tree, from under the roots of which a sacred relic had been removed. At this place, the Georgian ruler ordered the construction of the first Christian temple in honor of the 12 apostles: the Mtskheta Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli. The columns in the church were made of cypress, in honor of which it was named Svetitskhoveli - “life-giving pillar”.
Life after the baptism of the Georgian people
From Iveria the saint went to Kakheti (the eastern part of modern Georgia). She chose a modest hut for herself in the mountain village of Bodbe, where she spent the rest of her life in prayer and apostolic service. The queen of Kakheti was baptized into Orthodoxy, and, following her example, so were those close to the court and subjects.
Saint Nina fulfilled her duty to the Lord by converting the Georgian people to the Christian faith. In 335, she learned from an angel that her hour of death was approaching. Equal to the Apostles addressed a letter to Tsar Mirian, asking him to send a bishop for confession and last communion. The ruler, together with the clergy, went to Bodbe to say goodbye to the saint.
Orthodox icons and prayers
Kontakion 1
To the chosen servant of the word of God and the apostle imitator of the feat of the saints, a pledge of blessing from God’s Mother, who accepted the honorable cross and hoisted it in the land of Iverstia, let us sing thanksgiving praise to you, the spiritual priest, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino. But you, who have boldness towards the Lord, do not stop praying to deliver us from all troubles and sorrows, and with tenderness and gratitude we cry to you:
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Ikos 1
The wondrous angel of the Iveron land revealed the Creator to all creation, to convert the peoples of this land, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, from the deception of idols and to call them into a holy language, into people of renewal. Moreover, we, thanking God, glorify you as our enlightener and prayer book and diligently call to you:
Rejoice, wonderful chosen one of Divine Providence; Rejoice, you who wonderfully flourished from the pious root.
Rejoice, exceedingly abundant vessel of grace; Rejoice, receptacle of grace-filled power.
Rejoice, faithful messenger of the Most Holy Virgin Mary; Rejoice, imitator praised by the apostle.
Rejoice, you who were jealous of the gospel to the first-called Andrew; Rejoice, for by it the lies of idols were quickly trampled under foot.
Rejoice, by whom the holy faith was instilled; Rejoice, for by it the path to heaven is shown to us on earth.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the fulfillment of the Divine vision of the Heavenly Father, His Only Begotten Son and the Holy Spirit, who raised up the prophets and apostles to saving service and ours, for the sake of turning to the light of the Gospel truth, choosing the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Saint Nina, having desired to understand the Divine Mind, was tested more than once by her mentor Nianfora, who knew about the Lord our Savior and His holy Chiton, and learned from her true knowledge, the desire to worship the all-dear Chiton and the place of the exploits of the holy Apostles. We, filled with reverence for the life of Saint Nina, glorify her:
Rejoice, you who have understood the truths of the Kingdom of God; Rejoice, you who have loved Christ from your youth.
Rejoice, having taught Susanna piety from her youth; Rejoice, consolation of your father Zebulun.
Rejoice, preserved by Saint Juvenal in the passion of God; Rejoice, taught by the word of God.
Rejoice, returned to the holy city of Jerusalem; Rejoice, having surprised the righteous with your progress towards the glory of God in their youth.
Rejoice, you who preferred heavenly blessings to earthly blessings.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has raised you up, Saint Nino, with the love of piety, with the desire to worship the tunic of the Lord and with apostolic zeal, setting you up like a radiant lamp, so that those who receive from you the light of God’s understanding cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Saint Nina had an unshakable zeal to please the Lord, and was inflamed with the desire to come to the country of Iveron and venerate the hidden shrines there. We, seeing such holy jealousy in her, will cry out to her:
Rejoice, having despised the vanity of the world from childhood; Rejoice, thou who loves true wisdom.
Rejoice, thou who hast found the true treasure of God’s wisdom in the Divine teaching; Rejoice, having surpassed those who loved the vanity of the world through virtuous living.
Rejoice, firmly established on the unshakable rock of Christ’s commandments; Rejoice, having surprised angels and people with devotion to the will of God.
Rejoice, having subdued your flesh to the spirit through fasting and prayer; Rejoice, having taught many things through your love for the temple of God.
Rejoice, having been prepared by goodness of character for the service of the apostleship; Rejoice, through your virtuous life you have become a vessel of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 4
Confused by the storm of everyday passions, we are perplexed as to how it is worthy to sing of your wondrous courage, holy God-chosen Nino, who did not frighten you to fulfill your desire to march in the name of Christ to the pagan city of Rome. The Most Pure Mother of our Lord deigned to give you the holy cross with Her honorable hands and call you to the gospel of salvation in the land of Iversty to all who want to cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the saint of the city of the Lord, Juvenal, the Most Holy Theotokos called you to preach the word of God in Her lot, in the country of Iverstei, and gave you in a vision the cross, which you wrapped around your hair, began to glorify God, who saves people, and called you:
Rejoice, blessed by the grace of God; Rejoice, having acquired boldness towards the Lord Jesus and His Most Pure Mother through humility of spirit.
Rejoice, delighted by the appearance of the Mother of God; Rejoice, you who heard sweet words from God’s Mother.
Rejoice, you who spoke with Her as with another; Rejoice, reverently honored brethren of Jerusalem.
Rejoice, preparation for our enlightenment by the everlasting Light; Rejoice, O Light, kindled by God, to disperse the darkness of wickedness.
Rejoice, having received the honorable cross as the guarantee of your success in the gospel.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 5
Saint Nino appeared as a God-bearing star, shining upon us with the will of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and enlightening us with the gospel of the word of God. This heavenly guide, shining with the glory of deeds of piety and comforting with her help all of us who flow to her with prayers, let us most of all praise God, who showed Saint Nina as an intercessor for us, and cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the brides of Christ, even with St. Nina and Hripsimija being saved by fasting and prayer, the wicked thoughts of the lawless Diocletian, who wanted to take Hripsimia as his wife and teach idolatry, all of them fled secretly from the idolatrous city of Rome to the country of Armenia; There they were also put to death by the command of the pagan king Tivridates. The Lord saved Saint Nina from the snares of Diocletian and Tivridates and brought the gospel to Iberia for the sake of the word of the Gospel. Likewise, we, rejoicing in this providence of God for the salvation of people, praise God’s messenger, Saint Nina, calling:
Rejoice, having by your stay in Rome made clear to yourself the path of the gospel; Rejoice, glorified by your invincibility of spirit and wondrous courage in the service of the word of God.
Rejoice, you who passed the difficult path to Iberia without complaint for the glory of God; Rejoice, delivered by the grace of God from the hand of Diocletian and Tivridates.
Rejoice, thou who art near the Trialeti mountains, having spoken with the voice of humility; Rejoice, having established peace in souls through the image of meekness.
Rejoice, you who have been fragrant with the fragrance of the words of Christ for many; Rejoice, our confirmation on the path of salvation; Rejoice, for through you we are worthy of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 6
Saint Nina appeared as a great preacher; through her labors and illnesses the Church of Christ was planted in Iberia, the darkness of ignorance was driven away, the light of truth appeared, but for us, delivered by Saint Nina from the darkness of idolatry, it is worthy to cry out to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The enlightenment of truth dawned on the country of Iverste, when Saint Nina announced the good news to the city of Urbnisi, from which many people went to the Georgian capital city of Mtskheta to bow to the lying god Ormuzd and Zaden; Saint Nina crushed and overthrew these idols with her prayers. In the same way, we, as the conqueror of demons, will praise you:
Rejoice, you who were the first to show the almighty power of the true God in the land of Iverstia; Rejoice, you who defeated the idol of Ormuzd with the power of the Most High.
Rejoice, you who put his pride to shame with your prayers; Rejoice, who through his remains revealed the powerlessness of the evil spirit.
Rejoice, thou who hast trampled down the demon Zaden and his angels; Rejoice, you who drove away the rulers of darkness.
Rejoice, you who destroyed their powerless kingdom; Rejoice, you who extinguished the demonic flame of wickedness.
Rejoice, having overthrown the service of idols with stormy breath and heavenly fire; Rejoice, having glorified the name of the true God in Iberia with your zeal.
Rejoice, you who showed the light of the Gospel to the sons of darkness.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 7
Although King Mirian and his servants understood the power of the true God, who crushed their powerless idols, they said in bewilderment: what then happened, since our gods fell? The house of the heli-grader Tsarev with Abiathar, the Jewish priest, his daughter Sidonia and other virgins, who reverently received the gospel of Saint Nina, having come to know the Lord Christ, cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
New life was given to the sons of Iberia by accepting the word of truth from Nina, for all of her were baptized with the bath of water for cleansing of their sins and sanctification and became worthy to receive healing from God through the prayers of this intercessor; King Mirian, by the grace of God, having received his sight from blindness, came to the understanding of the true God and confessed Christ; Queen Nana arose from her sick bed, and their youth was freed from the spirit of evil, and all were reborn in the font of rebirth. For this reason, all the people, seeing this, glorify the memory of Saint Nina for a long time, singing to her:
Rejoice, you who converted the disbelief of King Mirian into faith; Rejoice, you who received that true confession.
Rejoice, you who gave healing to those from blindness; Rejoice, you who extinguished idol worship.
Rejoice, freedom from pagan errors; Rejoice, purification of morals.
Rejoice, deliverance from temptations; Rejoice, bestower of benefits to those in need.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 8
A strange miracle seemed to us from God, as He, in His mercy, made the country of Iberia a lot for the Mother of God and, as a sign of His good pleasure to those who dwell in it, from the very first days of the gospel of the salvation of the people, the ambassador of the honorable Chiton of the Lord Christ and erected the Life-Giving Pillar over the Tunic, from and by offering it, believers receive healing; also reveal in her the wondrous and glorious evangelist Saint Nina, and the cross with her precious hair to confirm her holy gift of faith. Having this consolation, we, earth-born people, will lift up our minds and hearts to the heavenly Kingdom and glorify the God who benefits us, calling upon Him incessantly: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You, Saint Nino, were completely consumed by the thought of things above, and for this sake you called those below, those who do not know the Savior of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, to communion with the heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom, so that they too may bring the greatness of the glory of the one true Shepherd to heaven and earth and glorify Him together with The inhabitants of the mountains have one mouth and one heart. In the same way, we, looking at your zeal for our salvation, call to you with tenderness:
Rejoice, opening of the doors of baptism; Rejoice, our bringing to heaven.
Rejoice, having filled the holy Angels with great joy through the holy baptism of Georgia; Rejoice, you who inspired King Mirian to build a man-made temple to the True God.
Rejoice, you who planted the honorable cross in him from the birth of vines; Rejoice, you who left the pledge of this love for Christ to all the children of the Holy Church.
Rejoice, you who together with your host of ascetics called everyone to holy baptism; Rejoice, thou who didst receive the sons of Iberia from the font.
Rejoice, you who have enlightened many in their understanding.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 9
Every being of the Heavenly Powers rejoiced when the sons of Iberia were baptized; One of the inhabitants of heaven appeared in the form of a wondrous man and established a miraculous pillar over the robe of the Lord, teaching everyone with Saint Nina to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
With their waving tongues they will not be able to speak to you worthy of praise, Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino: for the glory of God and the salvation of your neighbors flowed from Mtskheta, Kartalinsky and Kakheti lands, where all the tribes of the valleys and heights, having heard the words of God from you, received salvation. We, filled with joy and gratitude for the great love for us, cry out to you with all our hearts:
Rejoice, we have been clothed with the scarlet robe of baptism; Rejoice, stream of sweets, having given us to drink the water of piety.
Rejoice, devoted champion of the faith of Christ; Rejoice, planting heavenly paradise on earth.
Rejoice, our liberation from sinful slavery; Rejoice, destruction of the enemy’s snares.
Rejoice, destruction of evil; Rejoice, glorious victory over unbelief.
Rejoice, consumption of evil customs and superstitions; Rejoice, sweet-sounding pipe of faith.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 10
Wanting to save your soul and your neighbors from eternal destruction, Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, you were zealously jealous of the glory of God and you undertook the arduous apostolic feat, therefore you were adorned with the apostolic crown from the Lord in heaven, where with all the saints who stand with prayer for us, you sing to Him : Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The Lord has erected an indestructible wall, Saint Nino, and shown your incorruptible body as our protection from all troubles and as a source of healing in the country of the Cyzitics, in the village of Bodbe, where you enlightened Queen Sophia and her people, and all who, through your intercession, received mercy from God, let us call upon you:
Rejoice, wall and cover, not hidden from our influx; Rejoice, ready to help those seeking salvation and true enlightenment.
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of God’s blessings and mercies to those who worship you; Rejoice, our protector from destruction and misfortune.
Rejoice, faithful help for pious people; Rejoice, true pacification of the restless flesh.
Rejoice, joy of our souls.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 11
You brought all-contrite singing to the Most Holy Trinity, Saint Nino, loving the Triune God in mind and deed until the end of your life. Receive the tender singing from those who glorify you and do not despise our voice, for in adversity and sorrow we resort to the Most Blessed Mother of God and, trusting in your intercession, we call to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Light-receiving lamp, Saint Nino, who showed light in the darkness, when she moved from earth to heaven, she gathered her faithful children from the font, like branches of a new plant, and from them healed some sick people, and gave up their immaculate spirit to God. Seeing her blessed death, King Mirian and his neighbors wept bitterly and, singing songs of departure with tears, called out to her like this:
Rejoice, heavenly Angel appearing in the form of an earthly man; Rejoice, bride of Christ, who brought the Iberian Church to the Heavenly Bridegroom.
Rejoice, our good enlightener, who completed her course in day and night struggles; Rejoice, tireless nurse, who fed us with the food of Divine words.
Rejoice, immaculate dove, flying from the earth to the heavenly abodes; Rejoice, for your body has been clothed with incorruption.
Rejoice, for your holy relics are filled with fragrance; Rejoice, for we, your children, now enjoy that fragrance.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 12
The grace given to you from God, leading, we dutifully celebrate your honorable memory, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, and with the tenderness of our hearts flowing to your image, adorned with an honorable cross, we wholeheartedly ask: preserve us in this life in the more Orthodox faith and in all piety and purity , and even in our coming death we are worthy to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your departure to God, all-praised Nino, we honor your feat of apostleship, magnify your zeal for God, praise your patience, glorify your humility and bless your death, for you were wondrously glorified by many miracles after your departure; Wondering at them, we cry out to you:
Rejoice, kindly accepted into the cohabitation of the angelic ranks and saints; Rejoice, numbered with the Apostolic Council.
Rejoice, you who have entered the heavenly palace from the faces of God’s chosen ones; Rejoice, golden censer, bringing incense to God in prayer for us.
Rejoice, who tastes eternal bliss through the sight of heavenly things; Rejoice, glorified with Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helena.
Rejoice, magnified by the Georgian people and all Orthodox Christians; Rejoice, treasure of the miracles of Christ.
Rejoice, for from the honorable cross, through your hair, we receive healing of souls and bodies; Rejoice, for from your holy relics we receive useful help.
Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
Kontakion 13
O glorious and wonderful enlightener of the country of Iveron, near our prayer book before the Savior God and His Most Pure Matter, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino! Having now accepted our offering, beg the Lord with your God-pleasing intercession to deliver us from all misfortunes, troubles and sorrows, and to make us worthy of eternal blessings in heaven, so that with you we may cry out to God: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Wonderful Angel...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Servant...”.
Prayer
O all-praiseful and admirable Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, truly a great adornment to the Orthodox Church and a fair amount of praise to the people of Iberia, who enlightened the entire Georgian country with Divine teaching and the exploits of the apostleship, who defeated the enemy of our salvation, with labor and prayers she planted the garden of Christ here and grew it into many fruits. Celebrating your holy memory, we flock to your honorable face and reverently kiss the all-praising gift to you from God’s Mother, the miraculous cross, which you wrapped with your precious hair, and we tenderly ask, as our dear intercessor: protect us from all evils and sorrows, bring reason to our enemies Saints of the Church of Christ and opponents of piety, protect your flock, which you have shepherded, and pray to the All-Good God, our Savior, to whom you now stand, to grant our people peace, longevity and haste in every good undertaking, and may the Lord lead us into His Heavenly Kingdom , where all the saints glorify His all-holy Name, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion, tone 4
The words of God to the servant, who imitated the first-called Andrew and the other apostles in her apostolic sermons, the enlightener of Iberia and the Holy Spirit, Saint Nino, Equal to the Apostles, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
Come today, all of you, let us praise the Equal-to-the-Apostles preacher of God’s word, chosen by Christ, the wise evangelist, I will lead the people of Kartalinia to the path of life and truth, the Mother of God’s disciple, our zealous intercessor and our never-sleeping guardian, the most praiseworthy Nina.
Character of women named Nina
From an early age, Nina is an active, albeit slightly reserved person, sometimes overly stubborn and proud. It is unlikely that she will maintain contact with a person for whom she has no respect. However, weak people can always count on Nina's help.
During her school years, Nina is an exemplary student. She doesn’t let me cheat, and she doesn’t ask for help. She is always the best in the class and tries not to give up her leadership position. She does not rejoice at the victories of others, but on the contrary, she gets very upset for a long time.
Nina is a rational and hardworking person who relies only on her own strength. She can often be overly emotional and hot-tempered. However, she is always responsible and fair. It’s difficult for my husband and Nina – she’s not inferior to him. In such a family there will always be matriarchy.
