Saint Gregory the Illuminator

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Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Feast Day	September 30 (Armenian); Saturday before 4th Sunday of September (Roman)
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Armenia
Birthplace	Valarshapat, Armenia (tradition)
Death Place	Armenia
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia

Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Armenian: Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ; Greek: Γρηγόριος Φωτιστής; c. 257 – c. 331) is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, revered as the apostle who converted Armenia from paganism to Christianity in 301, making it the first nation to adopt Christianity as state religion. Born of noble Parthian–Armenian lineage, tradition holds that Gregory was secretly baptized, educated in Cappadocian Caesarea, and returned to Armenia to evangelize. For refusing to worship the goddess Anahit, he was imprisoned for 13 years in the deep pit of Khor Virap by King Tiridates III. Released after miraculously healing the king from madness (interpreted as lycanthropy), Gregory baptized Tiridates and the royal court in 301, destroyed pagan temples, and established the Armenian Church hierarchy. Consecrated bishop by Leontius of Caesarea, he founded the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin after a vision of Christ descending with a golden hammer (Only-begotten descended).

Venerated from the 4th century without formal canonization, Gregory appears in the Roman Martyrology and is honored in Eastern and Oriental Orthodox calendars. His principal feast is 30 September in the Armenian Church. Patron of Armenia, he is invoked for national unity and healing. While hagiographic accounts—primarily Agathangelos’ 5th-century History—include legendary elements (the king’s transformation into a boar, angelic nourishment in the pit), these are accepted as devotional tradition rather than strict history.

Biography

Birth

No reliable historical data exist for Gregory’s exact birth. Tradition places it c. 257 to a noble Parthian–Armenian family related to the Arsacid dynasty.

Early Life

Orphaned after his father’s assassination of King Khosrov II, Gregory was smuggled to Cappadocia, baptized, and educated in Christian faith.

Occupation

Missionary and first Catholicos of Armenia (c. 314–325).

Vocation

Gregory’s vocation was the conversion of Armenia: healing Tiridates III, baptizing the nation, and establishing the Church hierarchy.

Death

After resigning c. 325, Gregory retired to a hermit’s life and died c. 331. His relics were dispersed; the right hand is preserved at Etchmiadzin.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator met his end peacefully in old age.

Significant events

• Imprisoned 13 years in Khor Virap.
• Healed and baptized King Tiridates III, 301.
• Founded Etchmiadzin Cathedral after divine vision.
• First Catholicos of Armenia.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: None
• Death location: None
• Notable location: First cathedral of Armenia; traditional baptism site (Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Vagharshapat, Armavir Province, Armenia)
• Notable location: Dungeon of 13-year imprisonment (Khor Virap Monastery, Ararat Province, Armenia)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Saint Gregory the Illuminator
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Shrines

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Canonization

As the founder of the Armenian Church, Saint Gregory was venerated from the 4th century without formal canonization.

Miracles

• Healing of King Tiridates III from madness.
• Vision of Christ establishing Etchmiadzin.

Patronage

Saint Gregory the Illuminator is patron of Armenia.

Feast day

September 30

Veneration

Saint Gregory is venerated with national celebrations in Armenia on 30 September. Relics at Etchmiadzin.

External links

• New Advent: St. Gregory the Illuminator
• Catholic Online: St. Gregory the Illuminator