Faithful commemorate Gregory the Illuminator and the martyr nuns Rhipsime and Gayane

Orthodox faithful mark the memorial of Gregory the Illuminator and the group of virgin-martyrs led by Rhipsime and Gayane. The commemoration recalls the events that led to Armenia’s conversion and the martyrdom of a community of nuns who chose faith over imperial demands.

Gregory was born into a noble family connected to both Persian and Armenian royal lines. After his wife’s death he entered the service of King Tiridates, but when the king discovered Gregory’s Christian confession he ordered him cast into a deep pit filled with serpents and poisonous substances. By tradition, Gregory survived fourteen years in that confinement and emerged by divine help.

During the same period King Tiridates pursued violent persecutions. His forces stormed a women’s monastery housing thirty-seven nuns under the abbess Gayane and the young virgin Rhipsime. Rhipsime had fled Rome to escape an enforced marriage sought by Emperor Diocletian; in Armenia Tiridates was similarly captivated by her and demanded her for a wife. She refused, declaring herself betrothed only to Christ, and the enraged king subjected her to cruel tortures and then executed her and the thirty-six other sisters.

The turning point: healing, baptism and Etchmiadzin

Legend says that after the massacre Tiridates fell into madness. An angel appeared in a dream to the king’s sister and revealed that only Gregory’s release from the pit could restore him. Gregory was brought out, healed the king and then baptized him and the royal household. Gregory later became bishop of Armenia, founded schools, ordained clergy and built monasteries; Etchmiadzin rose above the martyrs’ relics and became the country’s spiritual center.

Gregory is traditionally regarded as patron of teachers, writers, missionaries and all who pass on knowledge. He completed his long life in old age in the year 335. His place was taken by his son Arastan, who continued his work and is counted among the 318 fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.

Devotional prayers connected to today’s commemoration include supplications to Gregory and a troparion honoring Rhipsime and Gayane. The prayer to Gregory is translated here as used by worshippers:

"Faithful servant of the Living God, in little you served, in much He set you and through you the land of Armenia was enlightened, O great Gregory, in the body you bore fruit, by the Spirit the countless fruit became, the power of Christ in you was revealed when the fallen nature by grace was raised. Pray, saint, pray, martyr, pray, great beloved of God, that we may not depart from the true faith."

Photo: press material from the event