Today, the Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of Saint Gregory, enlightener of Armenia
Sofia, Bulgaria30 September 2023, 07:30 37515 read 2 comments
On September 30, we honor the memory of a brave saint. For 14 years St. Gregory endured inhuman torments, but he did not give up his faith in Christ.
Today, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. St. Gregory, enlightener of Armenia, St. St. Ripsimia, St. St. Mardonius and St. Akakius of Latria.
Life of Saint Gregory the Martyr, Enlightener of Armenia
The great enlightener of Armenia, St. Gregory, lived in the third and first quarter of the fourth century. He came from noble and noble pagan parents, related to the royal house of the Persian ruler Artabanus and his brother the Armenian king Kursar.
A war began between Armenians and Persians. Gregory, then still a child, fled with his parents from Armenia to Caesarea Cappadocia. There he became acquainted with the Christian faith. Received Holy Baptism. As a married man.
He had two sons, Ortan and Arostan. He dedicated them to the service of the Church. After the death of his wife, Gregory returned to Armenia and entered the service of King Tiridates. Because of his faithful service, the king loved him very much, but when he learned that Gregory was a Christian, Tiridates became very angry. He began to force him to renounce Christianity and worship idols.
Gregory did not give up his faith. Therefore he was subjected to severe torture. Then they threw him into a deep pit to tire him out. But almighty God kept him safe in that pit. He instructed a pious widow to drop food to the martyr every day. So Gregory spent 14 years in that pit.
During those years, 37 nuns, persecuted by Diocletian, fled from Rome and settled in Armenia, near Mount Ararat, in a virgin monastery. Among them was the venerable Rhypsimia, who was distinguished by extraordinary beauty.
Tiridates continued to persecute the Christians in his kingdom. He also attacked this virgin monastery. All the sisters were subjected to terrible torture and died as martyrs. Because of this cruelty, God punished Tiridates. He went crazy and looked like a beast.
In a dream, the king’s sister received an instruction that Tiridates would not be cured unless Gregory was taken out of the pit. The martyr was immediately taken out and set free. First of all, Grigory asked about the bodies of the murdered girls, who had been lying unburied for 9 days.
Collecting their scattered remains, he buried them not far from the capital city. Here he brought the sick king, prayed fervently for him and thus cured him. In this way he became close to the king again. He received the right to teach the people the Christian faith and to call everyone to repentance.
He built a church on the site where the nuns were buried. In 305, the king sent Gregory to Caesarea Cappadocia to be ordained as a bishop. Returning, accompanied by many priests, he baptized the whole royal house and the whole country.
St. Gregory ended his long-suffering life in 325. Part of his relics is still preserved in the Etchmiadzin Monastery, built where Ripmisia and the other maiden martyrs were buried.
After the death of St. Gregory the Illuminator, his son Arostan was elevated to the episcopal rank, who continued his father’s work. He was one of the 318 fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in 325.
They are celebrating a name day today Grigoriy, Grigor, Grisho, Grisha, Grigoria, Grigorina and Grigorena.
What does the name Gregory mean?
Gregory is an ancient Greek name meaning awake. Ever since he was a child, Grigoriy has been a lively child who easily gets into trouble. 4. The owners of the name are extremely vain people who devote a lot of time to their appearance. Grigory is often a well-read and intelligent person, but he does not strive for great professional success.
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2023-09-30 04:30:00
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