Equal-to-the-Apostles Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian of Iberia

Mirian III (c. 265–361) was King of Iberia (eastern Georgia, capital Mtskheta), reigning from roughly 284 until his death. He is venerated as Georgia's first Christian monarch and, together with his wife Queen Nana, is glorified as Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Early in the 4th century St. Nina of Cappadocia arrived in Kartli preaching Christ; through her prayers Queen Nana was healed of a grave illness and secretly embraced the faith. Mirian himself remained a pagan until, while hunting on Mount Tkhoti, a sudden darkness fell upon him; in terror he called upon "the God of Nino," and light returned. Recognizing this as a divine sign, he was baptized along with his court and, around 326, formally proclaimed Christianity the state religion of Iberia, banning pagan worship and commissioning the first churches, including the precursor of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

He sent envoys to Constantine the Great requesting bishops and clergy, tying Iberia's church to Byzantium. Mirian and Nana are considered the founders of the Georgian Church; per his wish for humility, he was buried not in the great cathedral but in the upper church of Samtavro.