TODAY'S SAINT (Nino)

NINO

Virgin

Christianity was first brought to Georgia, Iberia, at the end of the 3rd century, and ancient tradition attributes this fact to the witness and apostolate of St. Nino. Many legends were in time woven around this saint (called simply "Christiana," "the Christian Woman," by the Roman Martyrology and Nino by the Georgians). But the most trustworthy account is still the most ancient and simplest one recorded, which Princce Bakur of Georgia gave to Rufinus of Aquileia, the 4th century Church historian.

Capture and brought to Georgia as a slave, Nino impressed the populace by her goodness and religious devotion, as well as by her power to cure disease in the name of Christ her God. Her prayers obtained the cure of a dying child, brought the Queen herself back from sickness, and enabled the King--when lost while hunting--to find his way again by calling on Christ. Both rulers received instruction and Baptism from Nino, and she was free to teach and preach.

Under her direction, a church was erected in such wondrous fashion that the people began to clamor to become Christians also. Hence, the King sent a legate to Emperor Constantine, asking for Bishops and priests to continue and extend St. Nino's work, and so the Faith came to this region by the Black Sea.

PRAYER

God, through St. Nino, Your Virgin, You enabled those without

the Faith to pass from dardness to the light of truth. Grant us thr-

ough her intercession to stand fast in the Faith aand remain con-

stant in the hope of the Gospel whicch she preached. Amen.

Feast: December 15