Nine Brothers of Kola

The Nine Brothers of Kola were nine children from the village of Kola, at the source of the Mtkvari river, in historic Tao in southern Georgia, stoned to death by their own pagan parents, in the sixth century, for confessing Christ. Their names are Guaram, Adarnase, Bakar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz and Parsman. They are commemorated on 22 February, old style (6 March, new style).

In Kola Christians and pagans lived side by side, but most worshipped idols. The children of both faiths played together, and in the evening, when the church bells called to vespers, the Christian children left to pray. The pagan ones accompanied them to the church but could not enter. Gradually they were drawn to the Christian teaching and resolved to join the Christians. Their friends told them that they must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, receive Baptism and take Communion.

The village priest was not afraid of the pagans' wrath and, on a frosty winter night, led the children to the river and baptized them in the frozen water. During the Baptism a miracle happened: the water grew warm, and the children saw the angels of light. Strengthened by the angels, they no longer wished to return to their pagan parents. When the parents found out, they dragged them by force out of the church and took them home, beating and insulting them. For seven days and nights, hungry and thirsty, the children endured every torment and repeated: "We are Christians, and it is not right for us to eat and drink what is offered to idols."

The parents' anger reached the local chief, who said: "They are your children, you have the power, do as you wish." The pagans asked permission to stone them, dug a great pit at the spring, where the children had been baptized, and threw them into it. The children's last words were: "We are Christians, and for the One in whose name we were baptized we die." First the parents took up stones, then the crowd followed, and the pit was soon filled with stones. The pagans also brought the village priest to the brink of death, robbed him and divided his property.