Today we remember St. Shushanik, also known as St. Susanna of Georgia, a Christian queen and martyr whose fidelity to Christ endured betrayal, violence, imprisonment, and years of suffering.

Shushanik was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken. Raised in a devout Christian family, she remained firm in the faith when her husband traveled to Persia, renounced Christianity, embraced the worship of fire, and promised to convert his wife and children as well.

When Shushanik learned what he had done, she wept bitterly, took her children, and sought refuge in a church.

Her spiritual father warned her that terrible trials were coming.

Her answer was simple:

She would rather die than unite herself to apostasy and destroy her soul.

When her husband returned, he tried repeatedly to force her to convert. Shushanik refused. She was beaten, chained, and imprisoned.

For six years, she remained in captivity. Yet even there, she continued serving others. The poor came to her, the sick were healed through her prayers, and childless families sought her intercession.

Before her death, she blessed those around her and asked to be buried where her suffering had begun.

St. Shushanik died around the year 475, leaving behind one of the most powerful examples of Christian fidelity in Georgian history.

St. Shushanik, Martyr of Georgia, pray for us.

0:00 St. Shushanik, Martyr Queen of Georgia
0:25 Her Christian upbringing
0:34 Political pressure from Persia
0:41 Prince Varsken abandons Christianity
0:50 He promises to convert his family
0:58 Shushanik learns of the betrayal
1:07 She flees the palace with her children
1:14 Her spiritual father warns of suffering
1:21 “I would rather die”
1:29 Shushanik refuses apostasy
1:36 She renounces her husband’s betrayal
1:45 Attempts to bring her back to the palace
2:02 Shushanik enters confinement
2:10 The fatal supper confrontation
2:24 Her husband beats and imprisons her
2:32 Six years in captivity
2:41 Miracles through Shushanik’s prayers
2:50 Her final request before death
2:58 Death of St. Shushanik around 475
3:08 Translation of her holy relics
3:15 Her continuing commemoration

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives

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