Sidonia

Saint Sidonia of Georgia was the first saint of Georgia in order of time, from a devout family of Georgian Jews who awaited the Messiah with great faith and hope. Every report about Him was received as a revelation and as the fulfilment of the prophecies. The high priest Annas wrote to Elioz, the brother of Sidonia and chief teacher of the Jews in Georgia, about the trial of Christ. Elioz set out at once for Jerusalem, obeying the command. The mother of Elioz and Sidonia, Sarah, of the line of the high priest Elias, knew the Scriptures perfectly and was very devout. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, she urged her son not to take part in shedding the blood of the Righteous One. Sidonia, his beloved sister, burning with the desire to share somehow in the great mystery, asked her brother to bring her something that belonged to the One who would be judged.

Elioz and his companions witnessed many miracles and the preaching of the apostles after the Saviour's Resurrection. After the crucifixion, Elioz asked for the Lord's robe from the soldier who had won it by lot and brought it to Mtskheta. He showed the robe to Sidonia; she took it and began to kiss it with tears. Then, pressing it to her breast, she fell dead. Saint Sidonia is commemorated on 1 October (new style; 14 October on the Julian calendar of Georgia).