Our Church honors Saint Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea and Venerable Lazarus the iconographer of Constantinople today.
Saint Gregory was born in Neocaesarea of Pontus around AD 210 to pagan parents of high social standing. He initially studied at the Beirut Law School in Lebanon but was drawn to the Christian faith after hearing the Word of God preached. He became a disciple of Origen and received further education at the Catechetical School of Alexandria before returning to his homeland, where he was ordained as a bishop. Saint Gregory remained dedicated to his mission until his passing around 270 AD.
Makrina from Cappadocia, the grandmother of Saint Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, was a disciple of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker. She passed on the theological tradition of the early centuries to the Cappadocian Fathers, enriching their understanding.
Saint Gregory’s zeal and commitment to the Church can be seen in the transformation of Neocaesarea under his leadership. From only 17 Christians in the city when he became bishop, by the end of his ministry, there were only 17 pagans left. This is a testament to his wisdom and influence as a hierarch.
Source: Church of Cyprus
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