The cross of Saint Gregory the Theologian

Saint Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople (25/11)

Saint Gregory came from the city of Natianto in Cappadocia. His parents were named Gregory and Nonna. In fact, his father, because of his virtue, was appointed bishop of the city of Natianto and died a saint.

He studied the lessons of secular education in Athens together with the other great saint of our Church, Basil the Great.

After completing his studies, he returned to his homeland, and then lived for a short time the quiet and solitary life together with Basil the Great in some part of Pontus.

After persistent urging from his inseparable friend, who had already taken on the pastoral care of the Metropolis of Caesarea, he accepted and was ordained Bishop, although he was a lover of quiet and uninterrupted "communion" with God, due to the spread of the Arian heresy.

He was subsequently invited to Constantinople to support the Orthodox who were suffering greatly from the heretics, and there, after the urging of the King and the people, he ascended to the Archbishopric throne. However, he did not remain there for long due to some scandals that arose. He resigned voluntarily for the sake of the peace of the Church and retired to a hermitage near his birthplace, where he ended his life.

Saint Gregory was called a Theologian by exception, because through the act of diligent practical application of the Divine commandments, he rose to the extreme of theory and explained with lofty meanings and clarity the doctrines of our faith.

On some part of the saint's head there is a visible mark, which according to evidence from his life came from a scar that was created above his eye after a blow. This constitutes evidence of the authenticity of the relic of the divine Father.