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[[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]].
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.
[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
[[Category:9th-century saints]]
[[ro:Grigorie Decapolitul]]
