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Saints Mirian and Nana of Georgia and the Holy Robe of the Lord · Saints and Scripture

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Today is Thursday, october first, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember the holy equals of the apostles Emperor Mirian and Empress Nana of Georgia, along with Saint Sidonia and the commemoration of the apparition of the pillar with the robe of the Lord beneath it at Metzkira.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: Long ago, during the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish community in Metzkita heard news of a wondrous child born in Jerusalem.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to tell them that this youth had grown up, called himself the Son of God, and preached a new covenant.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Envoys were sent to Jewish communities everywhere to ask scholars to come to Jerusalem and decide what to do about this.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: In response, Elios of Metzgeda and Longenos of Karsani were chosen to travel to Jerusalem.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: Elios came from a devout family.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before his journey, his mother tearfully begged him not to be part of any violence against the Messiah.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: When Jesus was nailed to the cross, Elios' mother heard each hammer strike and cried out, Farewell, Majesty of the Jews, for as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, you have become your own enemies.
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  SPEAKER_00: She then passed away.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: After the soldiers cast lots for the Lord's robe, Elios and Longenaz received it and brought it back to Miskita.
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  SPEAKER_00: Elios' sister Sidonia took the robe, held it close, and immediately gave up her spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Many miracles happened through the robe and news spread quickly.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: King Aderki wanted the robe but was afraid of its power and did not try to take it from Sidonia.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: Elios buried his sister and the robe together, and a cypress tree grew on her grave.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Later, after Pentecost, the most holy Theoticos was given the role to protect Georgia, but the apostle Andrew was chosen to evangelize the land.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Saint Andrew preached throughout Georgia, set up the church hierarchy, and returned to Jerusalem.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: Years later, the memory of Christ faded in Georgia.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: Then in the early fourth century Saint Nino arrived to preach the Christian faith.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: She lived near Metzgita and sought the Lord's robe, but no one remembered where it was.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: She met Abiatar, a Jewish priest, and his daughter Sidonia, descendants of Elios, and converted them.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nino healed the sick by the power of Christ and the cross she made from grapevines and her hair.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: King Mirian ruled cartley then.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Though he worshipped the idol Armazie, he was drawn to Saint Nino's faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: When Queen Nana became very ill, Saint Nino's prayers healed her.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: This miracle made King Mirian curious about the Christian faith.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: While hunting on Mount Takoti, King Mirian was suddenly overcome by darkness and an evil spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: His prayers to pagan gods failed, but when he prayed to the crucified god, the darkness vanished.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: He declared Truly thou art the god preached by Nino, God of gods and king of kings.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: King Mirian sought Saint Nino's guidance and sent messengers to Emperor Constantine for priests and builders to come baptize and build churches.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: On june twenty fourth, three hundred twenty four, King Marian began building a church with seven cypress columns.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Six were set easily, but the seventh would not move.
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  SPEAKER_00: After prayers, a youth surrounded by light came down and lifted the column into place.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: Sweet smelling myrrh flowed from the foundation, and many were healed there.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: Bishop John arrived from Constantinople with gifts for King Mirian, a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment of the life-giving cross, and a nail from the crucifixion.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: At the meeting of the Metkavari and Aragvi rivers in Mitsaketa, King Mirian, Queen Nana, and the people were baptized.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nino told the king that the Lord's robe was already in Mitsaketa, held by Sidonia, under the cypress tree stump that supported the holy pillar.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: A miraculous tree grew on a mountain over Mitsukita.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: Prince Revi, King Mirian's son, cut it down to make three crosses.
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  SPEAKER_00: The tree stayed fresh for thirty-seven days.
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  SPEAKER_00: At night, a fiery cross appeared above the church, surrounded by stars.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: The crosses were placed on mountains as Saint Nino advised.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_00: When the third cross was placed on the hill called Javari, all idols in Mitsgeda fell and broke.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Before his death, King Mirian blessed his son Bakar to serve the Holy Trinity and fight against idol worship.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, near the convent of Saint Nino.
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  SPEAKER_00: Queen Nana died two years later and was buried beside him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember their faith and the miracles that brought Christianity to Georgia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, strengthen our faith as you strengthened King Miriam and Queen Nana.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to trust in your power and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: Guide us to follow your path every day.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_00: Lord, strengthen our faith as you strengthened King Mirian and Queen Nana.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: Help us to trust in your power and love.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: Guide us to follow your path every day.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.