Saint Nina
Feast: 14th Jan (Traditional) , 27 January (New)
Patronage: Georgia and equal to the Apostles
Nina was born in Cappadocia. She is the patroness of Georgia. Though she was said to live a quiet, prayerful life, she converted hearts by her preaching.
Born into a noble family, Nina had a strong faith as a young child. She faithfully read the Scriptures which transformed her heart ablaze for Christ. She would often meditate upon the passion of Christ and the suffering of the Cross. Her tears were pure and beautiful. She continued to develop her own faith which others began to see.
She would meditate on the robes of our Lord at the time of the Passion. One night Our Lady came to Nina in a dream announcing that the Lord will bless her and that she will be in good favour with him. Our Lady told Nina that she will be her shield against visible and invisible enemies. When Nina awoke, she held in her hand a small cross.
Nina had other dreams and visions during her life. On one occasion she had a vision and woke with a scroll in her hand stating the following bible verses³:
Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her (Matt.26:13).
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal.3:28).
Then said Jesus unto them (the women), Be not afraid: go tell my brethren… (Matt.28:10).
He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me (Matt.10:40)
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist (Luke 21:15).
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take no thought how or what tiling you shall answer, or what you shall say: for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say (Luke 12:11-12).
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul… (Matt.10:28).
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprint: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matt.28:19-20).
She continued on her pilgrimage learning and drawing strength from Christ. She helped convert many hearts towards Christ particularly around the Georgia area until the end of her days.
St Nina, pray for us.
Sources:
1 http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1026
2 http://theinnerkingdom.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nina.jpg
3 http://www.stnina.org/st-nina/her-life/life-st-nina-equal-apostles
Originally posted 2015-01-20 04:41:55.