Waldtraud
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 Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: November 17th - St. Gregory the Wonder-Worker B (RM) |
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November 17th - St. Gregory the Wonder-Worker B (RM)
(also known as Gregory Thaumaturgus)
Born at Neocaesarea c. 213; died there c. 270. Saint Gregory was the son of
pagan parents of rank, and had a good education in letters and law. About
233, he and his brother Athenodorus accompanied their sister, who was
joining her husband at Caesarea in Palestine. They were supposed to continue
on to Beirut to further their study of law, but instead they came under
Origen's influence, entered his catechetical school in Caesarea, studied
theology, and were baptized. After studying under Origen for five years,
Gregory returned to Pontus as a missionary with an intention also to
practice law.
Soon after 238 he was in spite of his youth, elected bishop of Neocaesarea
by the 17 Christians of the city. It soon became apparent that he was gifted
with remarkable powers. He preached so eloquently that in the course of some
30 years he is said to have converted practically the whole population of
the city. He was a much sought after arbiter for his wisdom, legal
knowledge, and ability. He so ably proselytized by word and deed that it is
reported that at the time of his death only 17 unbelievers were left in the
city.
His apostolic work was carried on in heartbreaking conditions of war,
plague, and persecution. When Decius's persecution of the Christians broke
out in 250, he advised his flock to go into hiding, and fled to the desert
with his deacon. On his return, he ministered to his flock when plague
struck his see, and when the Goths devastated Pontus, 252-54, which he
described in his Canonical Letter. He participated in the Synod of Antioch,
264-65, against Samosata, and fought Sabellianism and Tritheism.
Saint Gregory left a number of theological and other writings and he has
always been highly regarded in the Greek Church. He wrote a panegyric to
Origen, a treatise on the Creed, and a dissertation addressed to Theopompus.
Many of his works are available on the Internet, including:
A Declaration of Faith
A Metaphrase of the Book of Ecclesiastes
A Sectional Confession of Faith
On the Trinity
Twelve Topics on the Faith
On the Subject of the Soul
Four Homilies
On All the Saints
On Matthew 6:22-23
Canonical Epistle
The reason for his more popular fame is indicated by the epithet given to
him, Thaumaturgus, 'the Wonder-Worker.' Extraordinary marvels are attributed
to him, which were written down a century after his time by Saint Basil and
Saint Gregory of Nyssa, who had learned of the wonder-worker from their
grandmother Saint Macrina who had known him and had heard him preach in her
youth. On the testimony of the last named, he was the first recorded person
to whom the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision; with her, we are told,
appeared Saint John the Evangelist, and they communicated to Gregory a
statement of doctrine on the Blessed Trinity.
Saint Gregory also records that when today's Gregory was returning to the
wilderness, he had to seek shelter in a pagan temple during a violent
rainstorm. Upon entering, he made the sign of the cross several times to
purify the air, then spent the night there in prayer with his companion.
The next day the temple priest tried to call forth his normal oracles, but
the demons declared that they could stay there no longer because Gregory had
cleansed the temple. The angry priest threatened to go to the magistrates
and the emperor with his complaint against Gregory. Unemotionally, Gregory
told the priest that the demons would do his bidding in the name of Christ.
The priest's fury turned to admiration, when Gregory complied with his
desire. As he left the place, he handed the priest a paper on which was
written, "Gregory to Satan: Enter," and the demons returned.
The priest, surprised that his gods would readily obey Gregory's God, ran
after the bishop, who explained the Christian faith to the priest. Shocked
at the doctrine of the Incarnation and desiring that the truth be reinforced
by a sign, the priest requested that Gregory miraculously transport a huge
rock from one place to another. The stone, too, obeyed, by the power of Him
who promised His disciples that by faith they could move mountains. By this
miracle, the priest was converted and left behind his home, family, and
friends to be instructed in the divine wisdom. The priest later became
Gregory's companion and deacon.
At other times Gregory laid hands upon the sick and they recovered their
health of mind, body, and spirit, while receiving also the gift of
conversion. So many were healed and converted, that Gregory was forced to
build a church for their use in Neocaesarea. Saint Jerome and the Venerable
Bede both record that when a rock impeded the building, Gregory commanded
that it yield its place-and it did.
In order to hold back the floods of the River Lycus, which often overflowed
its banks, Gregory fixed his staff near the bank and prayed that the waters
might not exceed that bound; and they obeyed his voice. The staff also took
root and grew into a large tree.
Two men hoped to take advantage of Gregory's compassionate nature. One
pretended to be dead, while the other besought funds with which to bury the
first. Gregory, in a hurry, tossed his coat upon the impostor. When he had
left, the second laughed to let the other know the coast was clear.
Unfortunately, the impostor was really dead.
Another time, two brothers were fighting each other over the ownership of a
lake, which was part of their inheritance. The night before the dispute was
to be ended with a battle to the death between the tenants of each side,
Gregory spent the night in prayer on the spot. The next day, the combatants
found that the lake had become dry land and could be divided without an
engagement of forces.
During the renewed persecutions of Decius in 250, Gregory withdrew into the
desert with his deacon. The authorities had learned of his hiding place and
sent soldiers to bring him back. They returned empty-handed, saying that
they had seen nothing at the place except two trees. The informer went again
to the place to verify the news and, finding in prayer the bishop and deacon
whom the soldiers mistook for two trees, judged their escape to be
miraculous, threw himself at Gregory's feet, and became a Christian
(Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney).
Saint Gregory is generally portrayed as a bishop driving devils out of the
temple, though sometimes he is shown bringing the miter to Alexander
Carbonarius (Roeder). Carol Gerten's site contains an anonymous 12th-century
Russian icon of St. Gregory the Miracle-Worker
He is invoked against floods and earthquakes (at one time he reportedly
stopped the flooding Lycus, and at another, he moved a mountain) (Delaney).
Saint Quote:
"The sacrament or Baptism may be wanting to someone ... both in reality and
in desire; as is the case with those who neither are baptized, nor wished to
be baptized: which clearly indicates contempt of the sacrament, in regard to
those who have the use of the free-will.
Consequently those to whom Baptism is wanting thus, cannot obtain salvation:
since neither sacramentally nor mentally are they incorporated in Christ,
through Whom alone can salvation be obtained."
-St. Thomas Aquinas (Doctor, 1225-74) - "Summa Theologica"
Bible Quotes:
"Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of
water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John
3:5 )
"One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling. One
Lord, one faith, one Baptism" (Eph 4:5)
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A Prayer to Redeem Lost Time
My God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power, while
recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in
an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe
that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me
Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in
"wedding garments." - Amen.
- Saint Teresa of Ávila |
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