Equal-to-the-Apostles · 3rd–4th century
Nino (Nina)
Saint Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia
New Calendar January 14 Old Calendar January 27
Why they are a saint
Nino (Nina) was a woman missionary who enlightened Georgia with the Cross of grapevines; Equal-to-the-Apostles. The years given for this life are 3rd–4th century. The faithful keep her memory with the other equals of the apostles. The New Calendar feast is January 14.
Life
Saint Nino of Cappadocia was a relative of the Great Martyr George; her father was the Roman officer Zabulon and her mother Sosana a sister of Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem. Raised in Jerusalem by the elder Sara Niaphor, she learned how the Lord's Robe had come to pagan Georgia, and prayed to the Theotokos to be allowed to go there.
The Theotokos appeared to her in a dream, sent her to preach the Gospel in Georgia, and gave her a cross of grapevines, which she bound with her own hair. Through her labours King Mirian came to faith, and Georgia was established in the Christian faith. She reposed at Bodbe in eastern Georgia and was buried there, and King Mirian built a church in honour of Saint George over her grave.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
She is honoured as Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia. The cited source names no other specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of Georgia, because she is linked to that land by her life and labours.
Prayer
O holy Nino (Nina), pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.