Saint Shushanik
| Saint Shushanik (Susanna) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Martyr Queen | |
| Born | 440 Armenia |
| Died | 475 Tsurtavi, Georgia |
| Honored in | Georgian Orthodox Church Eastern Orthodox Church Armenian Apostolic Church Eastern Catholic Churches |
| Feast | October 17 |
Saint Shushanik (Armenian: Շուշանիկ, Georgian: შუშანიკი) (born Vardeni Mamikonian c. 440-475) was an early medieval Christian martyr of Armenian origin who was murdered by her husband Varsken in the town of Tsurtavi, Georgia. Since she died defending her right to profess Christianity, she is regarded as a martyr. Her martyrdom is described in her confessor Jacob’s hagiographic work.
Shushanik was a daughter of the Armenian supreme military commander (sparapet) Vartan Mamikonian and married to the prominent Georgian feudal lord (pitiakhsh) Varsken, son of Arshusha. Varsken was in opposition to Vakhtang I Gorgasali, King of Kartli, and took a pro-Persian position, renouncing Christianity and adopting Zoroastrianism. He killed his spouse after she refused to submit to his order to abandon her Christian faith. Varsken himself was put to death by King Vakhtang in 482.
Shushanik has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church and is venerated by the Armenian Apostolic Church. Her feast day is celebrated on October 17.
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