Saint Who?
Saints Who Faced Persecution
Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Bishop († c. 330) Feast: September 30
Christian missionaries had brought the faith to Greater Armenia (a region including modern Armenia, Turkey, and nearby countries) before Gregory was born. He was baptized and eventually became a priest.
In 298, the son of a previous Armenian king, Tiridates III, retook control of Armenia and made Gregory one of his courtiers. But Tiridates was not a believer, and he soon became annoyed by Gregory’s zeal as an evangelizer and his willingness to speak up for the rights of Armenian Christians. Tiridates ordered Gregory to be tortured and imprisoned, but Gregory refused to renounce his faith in Christ.
We’re not certain what finally moved Tiridates to conversion. Was it because Tiridates’ own sister received a dream commanding Gregory to be freed? Was it because Gregory’s prayers miraculously healed the king? Or was it because Gregory’s patience and peace during imprisonment moved the king to seek that same peace in Christ? Whatever moved him to accept baptism, Tiridates’ conversion led Armenia to become the first officially Christian country in history. Gregory was named the first bishop of his people, and he spent the rest of his life training priests, appointing bishops, and building churches. Gregory, who “illuminated” or brought the “light of Christ” to his people, is still greatly honored by the Armenian faithful.
Heavenly Father, give us the grace to bring
the light of Christ to everyone we know.
