Gregory The Illuminator (or “Enlightener”)

See also Gregory the Illuminator


GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR (or “Enlightener”) (c.240-32). Known as the “Apostle of Armenia.” He is reported to have been the son of a Parthian who murdered King Khosrov I of Armenia. As a baby Gregory was removed to Caesarea in Cappadocia where he eventually became a Christian. He married and had two sons before returning to Armenia where he converted King Tiridates III to Christianity. He was consecrated bishop (catholicos) of the Armenians by the metropolitan of Caesarea. For several generations the episcopate remained in his family. His son and successor, Aristakes, attended the Council of Nicea (325). Agathangelus,* the first historian of Armenia, wrote a biography of him.