Saint Gregory lived in the III century in the Asia Minor city of Neocaesaria (today Nixar in Northern Turkey).

Born into a pagan family with the name Theodore, after primary education his parents sent him to study law in the city of Berit (today Beirut in Lebanon).

But on the way he passed through the city of Caesarea, and there he heard the sermons of Origen of Alexandria, a shrewd interpreter of the Holy Scriptures.

He was captivated by the knowledge and eloquence of the Alexandrian scholar, so he refused to go to Berytus and became a student of Origen.

He was baptized and took the name Gregory.

He then went to Alexandria under Origen and received an excellent theological education.

He returned to Neocaesaria and at first lived in a deserted place, but over time the local Christians appreciated his qualities and asked him to become their bishop, writes BTA.

Out of humility, Gregory did not agree for a long time, but finally gave in to the insistence of the people and was ordained bishop of Neocaesaria, where there were only 17 Christians.

The church honors Saint Thomas the Apostle

With diligent work as a teacher and with the personal example of a humble and dedicated shepherd, the saint managed to attract almost all the inhabitants of the city to faith in Christ.

When he died at the end of 270, only 17 pagans remained in his city.

Saint Gregory was holy in life, restrained in his speech and moderate in his actions.

That is why God honored him with the gift of miracles.

During the mass persecution of Christians under the emperor Decius (mid-3rd century), the holy bishop advised the faithful not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution, torture and death, but to retreat to deserted places so as not to be captured.

He himself hid in the mountains until the persecution was over.

Saint Gregory took an active part in all the affairs of the Church, taught orally and in writing, participated in councils against false teachers.

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