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Hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Greater Armenia · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Wednesday, september thirtieth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Hero Martyr Gregory, Bishop of Greater Armenia, who is called equal of the apostles and the enlightener of Armenia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory was born in the year two hundred fifty seven.
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  SPEAKER_00: He came from a royal family descended from the Parthian Arsicid Kings.
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  SPEAKER_00: His father, Anak, was involved in a violent struggle for the Armenian throne.
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  SPEAKER_00: Anak and his brother attacked King Cursar, mortally wounding him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before the king died, he ordered the execution of Anak, his brother, and their families.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory and his brother were infants at the time.
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  SPEAKER_00: One of Anak's relatives saved them and hid them.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later, Armenia was conquered by King Artasirus of Persia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory was sent to the Roman Empire while his brother was taken to Persia.
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  SPEAKER_00: As an adult, Gregory lived in Caesarea in Cappadocia.
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  SPEAKER_00: There he converted to Christianity.
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  SPEAKER_00: He married and had two sons but soon became a widower.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory raised his sons in the Christian faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: One son became a priest, and the other became a monk living in solitude.
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  SPEAKER_00: To atone for his father's sin, Gregory entered the service of King Tiridates, the son of the king his father had killed.
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  SPEAKER_00: Tiridates loved Gregory as a friend but became angry when he learned Gregory was a Christian.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory remained faithful despite the king's anger.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the Goths attacked the Roman Empire, Tiridates fought in place of the emperor and won.
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  SPEAKER_00: The emperor made Tiridates king of Armenia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Tirides asked Gregory to join him in offering sacrifices to pagan gods, but Gregory refused.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because of this the king ordered Gregory to be tortured.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory was hung upside down with a stone around his neck.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was choked with foul smoke, beaten, mocked, and forced to walk in iron sandals with nails.
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  SPEAKER_00: Throughout these torments Gregory sang psalms, the Lord healed his wounds in prison.
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  SPEAKER_00: When Gregory appeared unharmed, the king ordered the tortures repeated.
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  SPEAKER_00: They poured hot tin on him and threw him into a pit filled with snakes and scorpions.
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  SPEAKER_00: But God protected Gregory, and he was not harmed.
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  SPEAKER_00: For fourteen years pious women secretly fed Gregory bread in the pit.
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  SPEAKER_00: An angel appeared to strengthen him.
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  SPEAKER_00: During this time, King Tiridates killed Saint Rhysimia, the eldress Guyane, and thirty two other virgin martyrs from Asia Minor.
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  SPEAKER_00: After this the king and his soldiers were struck by God's wrath.
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  SPEAKER_00: They were tormented by demons and acted like wild animals, tearing their clothes and flesh.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory was taken from the pit, cleaned, clothed, and fed.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was brought before the king, and everyone asked him to pray for the king's healing.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory first asked about the relics of the martyrs, which had not been buried for nine days.
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  SPEAKER_00: He buried their bodies and then preached to the people, urging them to turn from idolatry to Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: The people believed and built a large church.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory brought the relics of the holy virgins into the church.
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  SPEAKER_00: He led King Tiridates to pray before the saints' relics.
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  SPEAKER_00: The king repented and his face was restored.
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  SPEAKER_00: Soon all of Armenia converted to Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: The temples of idols were destroyed, and churches were built.
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  SPEAKER_00: Gregory ordained priests, founded schools and monasteries, and organized the church.
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  SPEAKER_00: After these great works, Gregory went into the wilderness and ended his life in peace with the Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: His son Aristanes became a bishop and was one of the Holy Fathers at the Council of Nicaea.
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  SPEAKER_00: May we be inspired by Saint Gregory's faith and courage to remain steadfast in Christ no matter the trials we face.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to be strong in faith like Saint Gregory.
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  SPEAKER_00: May we follow Christ with courage and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.