Saint Nino of Georgia (Whirledge) Icon - S667

Saint Nino (also spelled Nina or Nune) was born in Cappadocia about the year 280. She was a kinswoman of Saint George. Her parents sold their possessions, moved to Jerusalem, and entered the monastic life, leaving Nino in the care of an old woman who raised her in the Christian faith.

From the stories she heard, Nino learned about the Lord's sacred Robe in the pagan land of Georgia. She began to pray to the Theotokos, that she might be able to travel to Georgia to reverence the Robe. The Theotokos granted Nino's request, and fashioned a cross out of grape vines to protect her.

Nina's uncle, Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem, blessed her to preach to the Georgians. When she arrived in Georgia, she was greatly sorrowful to see how they worshiped idols. In the icon, she holds a scroll with part of her prayer, "O Lord, send down Thy mercy upon this nation, that all nations may glorify Thee alone, the One True God, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ."

She prayed, preached and worked miracles, converting the Georgians. Eventually, even King Mirian embraced the Faith.

Saint Nina reposed in the Lord about the year 338. A church dedicated to Saint George was built over her grave, which eventually became the Bodbe Monastery. She is commemorated January 14.

This icon is offered by Legacy Icons with the permission of the iconographer, Brian Matthew Whirledge.