Saint Nino, Saint Queen Shushanik and Assyrian Holy Fathers: Radiant Stars of the Apostolic Church of Georgia

Abstract

This article explores the significant contributions of Saints’ activity to the Apostolic Church of Georgia. Among the twelve apostles of Jesus, Andrew the First-Called preached in Georgia, and his work was continued in the 4th century by St. Nino, who was later called the Enlightener of Georgians. The merits of the holy Queen Shushaniki, who devoted herself to sacred activities in the 5th century, have been covered with halo. The contributions of the holy Assyrian fathers as defenders of Chalcedonism and revivers of monastic life in Georgia are also immeasurable. The Apostolic Church of Georgia has always defended and remained loyal to the canon law, which means that it has never violated issue of church jurisdiction. “Soviet historiography" emerged during the Soviet period , and the highly authoritative publication of the Moscow Patriarchate, the "Orthodox Encyclopedia," is currently based on it. Accordingly, the Orthodox Encyclopedia of Soviet historiography claims that the Georgian Church invaded the borders of the Catholicate of Albania and appropriated those territories. This information is incorrect and does not reflect reality. According to the theory presented in the "Orthodox Encyclopedia" and the accompanying map, the indigenous territories of Georgia with their cities are included in the Catholicate of the Caucasus Albania: Bodbe, Gurjaani, Khashmi, Sagarejo, and the Davit Gareji monastery complex. The saints mentioned in the article were not only spiritual leaders but also prominent public figures who played vital roles in the cultural and social development of Georgia. KEYWORDS: sainthood, jurisdiction, history of Apostolic Church of Georgia, canon law, hagiography