View source for Gregory the Decapolite

[[Image:Saint Gregory the Decapolite.JPG|right|thumb|Saint Gregory the Decapolite.]]
The Venerable '''Gregory the Decapolite''' is a [[saint]] of the late eighth century and early ninth century who sought an [[asceticism|ascetic]] life of [[prayer]] and attained the gifts of prophecy and wonderworking. He zealously denounced the [[Iconoclasm|iconoclast]] [[heresy]]. He is commemorated on [[November 20]]. 

==Life==
Gregory was born in the area of Decapolis (generally today's Jordan) in the eighth century. He was devout from childhood, attended the [[temple]] of God, the services of the [[church]], and constantly read, with reverence, the [[Holy Scripture]]. He looked to a life of asceticism. As his parents were intent that he marry, he left his home secretly and began a life of wandering the world of the Mediterranean.

His travels took him to Corinth, Rome, and Constantinople. As an ascetic, he lived for a time on Olympus. Wherever he went he preached the Word of God. During his travels, Gregory met the young [[monk]] [[Joseph the Hymnographer|Joseph]] at the Monastery of Latmos in [[Thessalonica]]. Together they traveled to Constantinople and lived near the Church of the Holy Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. The two saints preached throughout the city and in the homes of the Orthodox believers. During the period of iconoclastic fervor they denounced [[iconoclasm]] and strove to strengthen the faith and fortitude of the Orthodox.

In 815, emperor Leo V the Armenian [[deposition|deposed]] [[Patriarch]] [[Nicephorus I of Constantinople|Nikephoros]] as Patriarch of Constantinople, convened a [[synod]] at Constantinople, and re-instituted the second period of iconoclasm. As Gregory renewed his fight against the iconoclasts, he was overcome with illness that undermined his strength and resulted in his repose in 816.

==Relics==
At first, St. Gregory's body was buried at a [[monastery]] in Constantinople. His tomb was much visited and soon many [[miracle]]s occurred. Seeing this, the monks translated his [[relics]] to a shrine in the [[church]] to enable the people to venerate them more easily. After Constantinople was taken by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, a Turkish official moved his relics again, this time to a region near the Danube River. In 1498, hearing of the miracles performed through St. Gregory's relics, Barbu Craiovescu, the Ban of Wallachia, purchase them. Then, Barbu moved St. Gregory's relics to the main church of Bistritsa Monastery where they are today.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

:The twofold lamps of divine gifts,
:Proclus, shepherd of New Rome, and Gregory, scion of Decapolis,
:Guide us by the light of grace as divinely-inspired fathers.
:Let us draw near and eagerly beseech them,
:That we may receive forgiveness and salvation of our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)

:The Church knows you to be a brilliant sun
:Enlightening all with the rays of healing and the beauty of virtue.
:Therefore, as we celebrate your honored memory,
:We glorify your struggles, ever-blest and all-wise father Gregory.

==Sources==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103340  OCA: Venerable Gregory Decapolite]
*[http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/saints/e_0104c.htm  Venerable St. Gregory of Decapolites]
*[http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1120.shtml Gregory Decapolites ]

[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:9th-century saints]]

[[ro:Grigorie Decapolitul]]