The Great Martyr Shushanika, Princess of Rans, was the daughter of the Armenian military commander Vardan. From her childhood, she was distinguished by her piety. After marrying the pitiahsh Varsekan, she learned of his apostasy from Christ and, refusing to continue her married life with him, left the palace and went to a cell. For her faith, she was subjected to beatings and shackled, and then imprisoned in a dungeon, where she remained for six and a half years, adorned with virtues. Many suffering people, through the prayers of Shushanika, received healing and blessings. On the eve of her death, she was visited by the Catholicos-Archbishop of Georgia Samuel I and Bishop John. Her last words were: 'Blessed is my Lord God, for I have laid down in peace and have fallen asleep.' Her death occurred on October 17, on the feast of the martyrs Cosmas and Damian.
The relics of Shushanika were initially laid to rest in the church of the city of Tsortaga, and then were transferred to Tbilisi in 586. The memory of the holy martyr was originally celebrated on October 17, but was later transferred to August 28.
The life of Saint Shushanika was composed by her spiritual father Jacob. This simple and unpretentious narrative is an account of an eyewitness, who strengthened her in the feat of confession. The feat of Shushanika serves as an example for many generations, as she preferred Christ to an earthly kingdom. Her suffering, beatings, and tortures, which she endured from her husband, did not break her faith. The dungeon where she was held became for her a gateway to paradise, as Christ was with her.
Among Christian martyrs, we see women who, like Shushanika, refused to commit infanticide and endured heavy trials. Their feat, accomplished behind the walls of homes, is unknown to the world but pleasing to God. Often, a child saved by a mother becomes the favorite of the entire family, and the reward for such a feat is spiritual joy and peace of conscience.
