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Commemorated on November 23
Sainted Gregory,
Bishop of Acragantum, was born on the island of Sicily, in the village of
Pretorium, not far from the city of Acragantum, of the pious parents Chariton
and Theodotia. The infant Gregory was baptised by the bishop of Acragantum,
Pataimonus. At ten years of age the lad, ardent in study, mastered writing and
was able to read, and to sing church-song. At 12 years of age Saint Gregory was
entrusted to the clergy, and he was put under the spiritual guidance of the
archdeacon Donatus. Saint Gregory spent the next 10 years in the Acragantum
church. Then however an Angel of the Lord appeared to the holy youth, who had a
fervent desire to visit Jerusalem, and said that God had blessed his intention.
At Jerusalem Saint
Gregory was presented to Patriarch Makarios (563-574), who retained the pious
youth for service in his own cathedral church, ordaining him deacon. The soul
of Saint Gregory thirsted for monastic striving, and the Patriarch gave his
blessing, letting him go to a monastery on the Mount of Olives. After a year
Saint Gregory departed this monastery for a wilderness-elder, who over the
course of four years taught him spiritual wisdom, humility and the principles
of monastic life. The ascetic, foreseeing in Saint Gregory a future great
luminary of the Church, gave him blessing to forsake the solitary life.
Having left the
elder, Saint Gregory dwelt for a certain time at Jerusalem, and then set off to
Constantinople, where he was received with love by the brethren of the
monastery of the holy Martyrs Sergios and Bakkhos. The ascetic efforts of the
Monk Gregory, his spiritual experience and theological knowledge brought him to
the attention of the Patriarch of Constantinople Eutykhios (552-565), at the
insistence of whom the saint participated in the acts of the Fifth OEcumenical
Council (553). At the completion of the Council Saint Gregory set off for Rome,
so as to make veneration there at the graves of the holy Apostles Peter and
Paul.
During this while the
bishop of Acragantum died. The elder clergy and illustrious citizens of
Acragantum journeyed to Rome with a request for the Pope to determine a
successor for their cathedra-chair from among a list of candidates they were
presenting. The Pope however declined their proposal through an inspiration
from above, and instead summoned Saint Gregory to serve them as bishop.
For a few years Saint
Gregory peacefully guided the flock entrusted to him by God. He was a defender
of the down-trodden, a wise preacher, and miraculous-healer. And in the dignity
of archbishop Saint Gregory led the life of an ascetic monk, fervently observing
monastic vows. The flock loved their hierarch and trusted in him. But there
were also malicious people, who had resolved to slander him. These vicious
people in secret, while Saint Gregory was in church, led a bribed harlot into
his chambers, and then in front of the crowd which accompanied the vladyka
(bishop) after Divine-services to the doors of his house, they then led her out
and accused Saint Gregory of the deadly sin of fornication. They put the holy
bishop there under guard. The people attempted to defend their vladyka, but
were unsuccessful. At the trial the harlot gave false testimony against Saint
Gregory. And just as she pronounced the words of slander, she went into a fit
of frenzied raging. The judges accused the saint of sorcery. Saint Gregory was
sent for judgement to the Roman bishop together with a report about his
"crimes". The Pope, having read through the report of charges, did
not want to see the accused and gave orders to remand him in prison. The saint endured
his humiliation humbly, dwelling in constant prayer. His prayerful effort and
wonderworking gift quickly became known through the city and the surrounding
region. Pious Romans began to gather at the prison, whom the imprisoned saint
taught about the righteous life, and for the sick he implored of the Lord their
healing.
After two years there
came to the Pope a perspicacious elder by the name of Mark, who had known Saint
Gregory since youth. The elder did not believe the report of charges and he
persuaded the Pope to convene a Council to decide the matter of Gregory. At the
invitation of the Pope, many clergy from the city of Acragantum came to the
Council, together with all those making accusation against the saint, including
the harlot. From Constantinople to Rome came three bishops and the imperial
dignitary Marcian. Along the way Marcian had fallen grievously ill. At the
advice of many a person who had received healing through the prayers of Saint
Gregory, servants carried the dying man to the prison, where the wonderworking
saint languished. Through the prayers of Saint Gregory the Lord granted healing
to Marcian.
At the Council the
slanderers attempted to uphold their accusations, and as their chief proof they
presented to the judge the deranged harlot, declaring that Gregory had
bewitched her. But the saint in making prayer over her cast out the devil. The
woman came to her senses and told the Council the whole truth. The slanderers
were brought to shame and judged. Marcian even wanted to execute them, but
Saint Gregory implored forgiveness for them.
Saint Gregory
returned in honour to his own cathedral, and surrounded by the love of his
flock, he guided the Church until his own peaceful end.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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