On this day in the year 270 AD, St Gregory the wonder worker departed this life. He was the Bishop of New Caesarea (Roman one), where he was born to rich pagan parents. He studied philosophy at an early age, to the extent that he surpassed many of his colleagues. He then travelled to Beirut, where he studied Greek and Latin. From there he went to Caesarea of Palestine where he studied under the erudite Origin. He studied divinity and the interpretation of the holy books. In 235 AD he visited the City of Alexandria, where he completed his studies in the subjects in which he lacked knowledge. He returned to his town in 237 AD. In 239 AD he was baptized into the holy faith and became a Christian, for he had realised the vanity of the world and chose the way of the everlasting kingdom of heaven. He then directed all of his attention to the salvation of his soul. When he heard that the Bishop of his town was seeking him to assist him in his bishopric duties, he escaped into the dedsert, devoting himself to prayer and ardent worship forsaking the world and the futility of its glories.

When the Bishops of his town departed, they sought him in order to make him the new bishop but they did not know where to find him. It happened that while the Christians were gathered they heard a voice instructing them to seek Gregory the hermit and set him as Bishop over them. They sent some people to search for him in the desert and mountains but they could not find him. The angel of the Lord appeared to St Gregory the wonder worker in the desert and said to him,”Arise and go to your town, for they seek you as Bishop over it and refuse not, for it is the will of God.” He did not hesitate and rose up immediately and descended from the mountain and went to his town, The people went forth with great honour to meet him and they completed his enthronement in the year 244 AD.

The Lord performed many signs and wonders at his hands. As a result he was called the wonder worker. Reports of the signs and wonders which Christ did through him were heard throughout the earth. Finally, when he had completed his strife, he departed this life in peace on this day in the year 270 AD.

May his prayers be with us and Glory to God, now and forever, Amen.