St Gregory the Wonder-worker

Confessor, Father of the Church (c.215-c.270)

Saint of the day November 19

Named Theodore at birth, St Gregory was born and raised as a pagan in Pontus, Asia Minor (Turkey). At 14 he set out with his brother, Athenodorus to study law at the famous school of Beirut. At Caesarea in Palestine he fell under the persuasive influence of Origen, the head of the Alexandrian catechetical school and embraced Christianity. Abandoning all thought of pursuing law, Gregory spent seven years in the study of philosophy and theology and, at 26, was made bishop of Neo Ceaserea.

During the Decian persecution he retired into solitude near Pontus. Not long after peace was restored, he returned and governed his diocese for some 30 years with outstanding success. He instituted liturgical celebrations honouring the Decian martyrs, and, in c.264, together with Athenodorus, his brother and fellow bishop, he assisted at the first Synod of Antioch which condemned the heresies of Paul of Samosata. In those days, even a group of 10 Christians could have their own bishop and at the time of his accession the colony numbered only 17 Church members; but when he died about the year 270 there remained only 17 unconverted pagans in the entire city!

In his “Exposition of the Faith”, Gregory stated clearly the eternity, equality and perfection of each Person of the Blessed Trinity.

In time, St Gregory, the story of whose life was written by St Gregory of Nyssa, came to be surnamed Thaumaturgus, i.e., “Wonder-worker” because of the numerous wonders (miracles) God worked through him. In fact, he is invoked in desperate situations and against floods.