Description

Oil Dedicated to St Gregory

The St Gregory is dedicated to the wonder worker, patron for hopeless cases. He was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century.

Gregory was born around AD 213 to a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea.   He was known for his pastoral work.  His surviving theological writings are in an incomplete state. This lack of knowledge partially obscures his personality.  Nevertheless, the lives of few bishops of the third century are so well authenticated.

With the strong encouragement of Origen, St. Gregory the wonder worker used his talents to glorify God by strengthening the Christian flock.  Appointed bishop of Neo-Caesarea in the year AD 240.  When he became bishop there were only seventeen Christians in that city.  By the time of his repose, there were only seventeen unbelievers, so great was the Spirit of God upon him.

Loved by his flock.  Brilliant theologian who preached well and gifted with the ability to work miracles, hence the title given him.  Due to his reputation, he earned the nickname “the second Moses.”  His miracles include healing diseases and demonic exorcisms, the moving of earth and boulders by his word, causing himself and others to be invisible, bringing peace into the heart of man, and converting nearly everyone in his city to Christianity.

In his panegyric on Origen, Gregory describes the method employed by that master to win the confidence and esteem of those he wished to convert; how St. Gregory mingled a persuasive candour with outbursts of temper and theological argument put cleverly at once and unexpectedly.