Timeless Christians

Gregory the Wonder-Worker

Imagine having such zeal for God and power of his Spirit that you became known as a "wonder-worker." That is the case for Gregory, who was actually named Theodore at birth, but changed his name to Gregory after he became a Christian.

His parents were pagans in a region called Neocaesarea which now lies within Turkey. Gregory was fourteen when his father died, and the boy went through a spiritual crisis. Afterward, his sister needed an escort to Palestine to join her husband who held a high position under the Roman governor at Caesarea. Young Gregory and his brother traveled with her. On their arrival they decided to visit the school of the famous scholar Origen. Instantly they were hooked, and studied for the next five years under this great Christian teacher, learning geometry, astronomy, philosophy, and theology. Origen taught his pupils to select whatever was useful and true in the various philosophers, putting aside all that was false.

Still a young man, Gregory returned to preach the Gospel in his homeland. He and his brother had shown such spiritual growth that both where shortly afterward appointed to head churches. At that time there were only seventeen Christians in all Neocaesarea, but their numbers increased greatly through Gregory's efforts. He had extraordinary power over demons and supposedly worked many miracles, but these are doubtful, because names and specifics are not given. However, he arranged games on martyrs' days, which lured many heathen to hear the gospel, and apparently God granted him gifts of healing so that people came to him to be cured and heard the gospel. From very early times he was known as the "wonder-worker" and many writers from shortly after his time mention him.

When persecution arose, Gregory was practical, urging those who could do so to flee. He fled himself. In 257, Gregory returned to Neocaesarea, and when, in 258, peace was restored to the church, he ordered annual feasts in commemoration of the martyrs.

At his death the number of heathen who now remained in his diocese is said to have dwindled to 17, the exact mirror of Christians found there when Phaedimus consecrated him. Of course, many of these converts were superficial Christians, and even turned on other believers during persecution and stole their goods.

When Gregory died around 270, he was buried in the church he had built in Neocaesarea. Because he won an entire state to Christ, his name will not soon be forgotten.

by Dan Graves