A native of Cappadocia, in present-day Turkey, Saint Nino was a young captive who became a slave at the court of King Mirian III in Georgia.
Deeply devout, she preaches the Gospel throughout the country and is nicknamed Christiana, after her religion, which is shortened to Nina, Nino, or Ninon.
Upon learning that she had healed a dying child, Queen Nana, who was ill herself, summoned her. Nino healed the queen. In gratitude, the queen wanted to shower “The Christian Woman” with gifts. But Nino had only one wish: the conversion of the monarchs. Nana then asked to be baptized, unlike her husband. However, after becoming lost in the darkness during a hunting trip, King Mirian promised to convert if he were saved. Having emerged unscathed from this ordeal, he asked that a bishop proclaim the Good News throughout his kingdom.
So it was around 337 that Georgia became a Christian country thanks to Saint Nino. Considered the country’s missionary, she is one of the most revered saints in Georgia!
The West celebrates it on December 15, but in the East, it is celebrated today, January 14!
