Georgia celebrates Ninooba today, a national holiday honoring Saint Nino, the Christian patroness of the country.
Orthodox churches across Georgia hold festive services today.
In Tbilisi, at the Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, worshippers can venerate a sacred relic — the cross of Saint Nino, woven from a grapevine.
According to legend, Saint Nino used this very cross while preaching. She convinced King Mirian III of Iberia and Queen Nana to convert to Christianity.
Georgia commemorates Saint Nino twice a year: on January 27, the day of her death, and on June 1, the day of her arrival in the country.
Today also marks the name day for everyone named Nino, one of the most popular names in Georgia.