Entrance of Saint Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia

Commemorated on May 19.

The holy Apostles Andrew the First-called and Simon the Canaanite first preached the Christian Faith in Georgia in the 1st century, but at the beginning of the 4th century most of the country was still pagan.

After the Theotokos revealed God’s will for her future, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino set off for Georgia to enlighten the Iberian people. She arrived in Armenia with the holy martyrs and virgins Rhipsimia, Gaiana and their fifty companions. The holy virgins were martyred in Armenia and, according to God’s will, Saint Nino journeyed on alone to Lake Paravani, entering Georgia from the Javakheti Mountains. She arrived in the spring, but the weather was unseasonably cold.

The Apostolic Church of Georgia has honored the Entrance of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino as a major feast day. The Church also commemorates her on January 14, the day of her repose.

Troparion

O handmaiden of the Word of God,
who equaled the first-called Apostle Andrew in preaching,
and emulated the other Apostles;
enlightener of Iberia and lyre of the Holy Spirit,
Holy equal of the Apostles Nina, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion

Come, all of you, let us sing praises today to the one chosen by Christ,
the equal of the Apostles, the preacher of God's Word,
the wise bearer of good tidings, who brought the people of Kartli to the path of life and truth;
she is the disciple of the Mother of God,
our zealous intercessor and unsleeping guardian,
the all-praised Nina.