PhilokaliaKnowledge Map

Saints & Church Fathers

St. Gregory the Illuminator

St. Gregory the Illuminator, by Authors of Menologion of Basil II (circa 985 AC, Constantinople), Byzantine manuscript illuminators [1] : Pantoleon with Georgios, Michael the Younger, Michael of Blachernae, Symeon, Symeon of Blachernae, Menas, and Nestor ( Online on Vatican site ), 11th century
Menologion of Basil 038 Authors of Menologion of Basil II (circa 985 AC, Constantinople), Byzantine manuscript illuminators [1] : Pantoleon with Georgios, Michael the Younger, Michael of Blachernae, Symeon, Symeon of Blachernae, Menas, and Nestor ( Online on Vatican site ), 11th century Public domain

The apostle of Armenia. Raised a Christian at Caesarea in Cappadocia, he returned to Armenia and was thrown by King Tiridates III into a pit at Khor Virap, where tradition keeps him for thirteen years. When the king fell into madness it was Gregory, brought up out of the pit, who healed him, and around the turn of the fourth century Tiridates was baptised and Armenia became the first kingdom to confess Christ. Gregory was consecrated at Caesarea and organised the Church of his country, and his cathedral at Etchmiadzin still stands. He lived long before Chalcedon divided the Armenian Church from the Orthodox, and both keep him. Feast: September 30.

Sources

  • Agathangelos, History of the Armenians
  • The Menaion, 30 September the OCA calendar
  • Sozomen, Ecclesiastical History II.8 NPNF

Connections

In the calendar: 30 September

Find on the map