On February 7, immediately after the Day of Blessed Xenia, believers celebrate the Day of Remembrance of St. Gregory the Theologian. On this day, the memory of the Patriarch of Constantinople, who is considered the progenitor of Christianity, is honored..

history of the holiday.

Gregory was born around the year 325 in Arianga (modern Turkey) in the family of Bishop Gregory of Nazianzus and Saint Nonna. Gregory's parents really wanted children and prayed that they would have a son, who even before birth was promised by his mother to serve God.

Saint Gregory was an educated man and studied at the schools of Caesarea of \u200b\u200bPalestine, Caesarea of \u200b\u200bCappadocia, Alexandria and Athens. He had outstanding abilities, especially in the study of rhetoric.. Gregory learned from his mother that he was dedicated to God, and took a vow to remain chaste and clean.

When Gregory went to Athens to study, in the city he met Saint Basil the Great, with whom they were united by friendship.. In Athens, he taught eloquence for some time, and then returned to his parents.. At the age of 30, Gregory received holy baptism from his father, who at that time was a bishop..

In 374 Saint Gregory's parents died. Then he decided to go to Seleucia of Isauria, where he served in the church of the Holy Great Martyr Tekli. Saint Gregory also helped hospitals and nursing homes by raising funds for them..

[see_also ids\u003d"

After the death of Basil the Great, Gregory fulfilled his friend's last dying wish and left for Constantinople, where he fought against heretics..

The path of the preacher Gregory began in 379 in a small home church of his relatives. He believed that it was in her that Christianity would begin to revive.. Deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and his sermons resonated with people - more and more believers gathered around Gregory.

In 381, Gregory the Theologian was approved by the Second Ecumenical Council as Patriarch of Constantinople.. This decision caused resistance and disagreement among the Egyptian and Macedonian bishops..

To avoid discord, Gregory returned from Constantinople to his native home and was there in monastic exploits..

Saint Gregory was an ascetic and led an ascetic lifestyle - he walked barefoot, slept on the ground, ate bread and vegetables, drank water..

Gregory the Theologian left a rich spiritual heritage - about 243 epistles, 507 verses and 45 sermons.

[see_also ids\u003d"

Holiday traditions.

On this day, it is customary to pray and do good deeds, including helping those in need.. It was believed that one should not boast of one's good deeds, since "

The people on February 7 were called Grigoriev's Day, Grigory the Spring Index, because on this day people expected the weather to turn to spring.

Also on the holiday, they watched nature and could predict what the next autumn and winter would be like..

What not to do on the Day of Remembrance of St. Gregory the Theologian.

It was forbidden to swear, swear, sort things out and conflict. It is necessary to control your emotions on this day and avoid negative thoughts..

On this day, you can not cut your hair and nails..

Holidays are not to be missed. According to a long-standing belief, this could scare away luck..