Bishop
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Akragantus, was born on the island of Sicily, in the village of Pretoria. At his Baptism, his godfather was Bishop Patamion. At the age of 10, he mastered literacy and became a cleric, and at 12, he was ordained as a deacon. His spiritual guidance was provided by Archdeacon Donat. Saint Gregory served for 10 years at the church until he received a vision from an Angel that he would visit Jerusalem.
In Jerusalem, he was ordained by Patriarch Makarios as a deacon, and then he went to a monastery on the Mount of Olives. After a year in the monastery, he studied under an elder hermit, who taught him spiritual wisdom. Later, Saint Gregory moved to Constantinople, where he was accepted by the brotherhood of the monastery in honor of the holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. He participated in the Fifth Ecumenical Council at the insistence of Patriarch Eutychius.
After the death of the Bishop of Akragantus, the Pope, by divine inspiration, called Saint Gregory to episcopal service. He peacefully governed his flock, being a defender of the needy and a miracle worker. However, he had detractors who slandered him with accusations of adultery. Saint Gregory was taken into custody, but he bore the humiliation without complaint, remaining in prayer.
After two years, the discerning elder Mark, who knew Saint Gregory, urged the Pope to convene a Council to investigate the matter. At the Council, the woman who accused the saint was healed by him and confessed the truth. The slanderers were condemned, and Saint Gregory returned to his see with honors, where he governed the Church until his peaceful death.
