Hieromartyr Gregory, Bishop and Enlightener of Great Armenia

Gregory the Illuminator (c. 257–c. 331) is the founder of the Armenian Church. According to tradition, his father had killed an Armenian king, and the infant Gregory was taken out of the country and raised as a Christian in Cappadocia. He later returned and served the king's son, Tiridates III. When Gregory refused to sacrifice to the goddess Anahit, the king had him thrown into a pit, where tradition says he lived for years.

Tiridates had put to death the nun Hripsime, the abbess Gayane and their companions, thirty-seven women in all. When the king fell ill, Gregory was freed from the pit and healed him. The king and court were baptized, and Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity, traditionally in 301. Gregory became the first head of its Church; the calendar dates his death c. 335.