SAINT GREGORY OF SINAI, is considered a saint within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. He was probably born at Constantinople of a noble Anatolian family sometime in the 13th century. From his youth, he was attracted to the monastic ideal, and successfully persuaded his brothers and sisters, along with his widowed mother, to take up the monastic life. Around 1318 he and his two brothers went to Mount Athos, where they learned firsthand the traditional hesychastic way of contemplative prayer.
With the encroachment of the Turks, he was forced to flee to Thessalonica, being ordained a priest there in 1326. Afterward, he took up the eremetic life at a mountain near Beroea, and eventually returned to Athos in 1331.
He is known for living fully in the spirit and teachings of the early Desert Fathers. St. Gregory spent the last 25 years of his life on Mount Athos.
A PRAYER FOR THE FEAST DAY OF SAINT GREGORY OF SINAI:
Amazing Architect and Creator,
You built Your Church through the love and devotion
of Your saints, and we give you thanks this day for
Your servant Gregory of Sinai:
Inspire us to follow his example
that we in our generation may rejoice with his in the vision of Your glory. Amen.
(from The Venite Prayer Book)
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