Gregory of Armenia

Holy Hieromartyr Gregory of Armenia.

St. Gregory, the Illuminator of Armenia, brought the Gospel to the Armenian people at the turn of the fourth century. For his confession of Christ he endured long imprisonment in a deep pit, yet through his patience and prayer King Tiridates was converted, and Gregory, consecrated bishop, baptized the king and his people, making Armenia one of the first Christian nations.

He is honored as the apostle and first hierarch of the Armenian church, and his memory is kept throughout the Orthodox world on September 30.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Gregory of Armenia is commemorated on September 30. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 13 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Grigorios, Gregory

Also commemorated on September 30

• Rhipsime, Gaiane and the Virgin Martyrs of Armenia

  Holy Woman, Ριψιμία και Γαϊανή

  Holy Virgin Martyrs Rhipsime, Gaiane and their thirty-two companions, martyred in Armenia.

  Name days: Rhipsime, Ripsime, Ripsimia, Gaiane, Gaiani

• Stratonikos and Mardonios

  Martyr, Στρατόνικος και Μαρδόνιος

  Holy Martyrs Stratonikos and Mardonios.

• Gregory of Pelshma

  Venerable, Γρηγόριος του Πελσέμσκ

  Venerable Gregory of Pelshma, abbot and wonderworker of Vologda.

• Michael, First Metropolitan of Kiev

  Hierarch, Μιχαήλ Κιέβου

  St. Michael, first Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus'.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.