Adarnase of Kolai

Saint Adarnase of Kolai was one of nine pagan boys of the village of Kola in southern Georgia who received baptism and were stoned to death because they would not renounce Christ. The other eight were named Guram, Bakar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz and Parsman. In the Church of Georgia they are remembered on 7 March, and in a leap year on 6 March. They are not included in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In the sixth century, in the village of Kola at the source of the river Mtkvari (Kura), in the region of Tao in southern Georgia, today the province of Kars in Turkey, Christians and pagans lived side by side, the pagans being the majority. The children of both peoples played together all day. When the bell called to service, the Christian children went to church, and nine pagan boys always followed them. At the church doors they were stopped, but they begged so earnestly to be let in that the Christians told them: if you truly wish this, accept the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, be baptized and receive communion.

The boys gladly agreed. The priest, not afraid of the pagans' anger, led them one harsh winter night to the river and baptized them, immersing them three times in the icy water. During the baptism a wonder happened: the water grew warm, and the boys saw angels. Strengthened by them in their faith, they would not go back to their idol-⁠worshipping parents.

When the parents learned of the baptism, they took the boys from the church by force and led them home with curses, shouts and blows. The boys bore every insult and torment. For seven days, hungry and cold, they said one thing only: "We are Christians and we will not deny our Lord Jesus Christ." Enraged, the pagans decided to stone them. At the source of the river, where the boys had been baptized, the whole village dug a great pit and threw them into it. The parents were the first to take up stones, the others followed their example, and the pit was filled to the top.