Venerable Gregory of Crete

Venerable Gregory

In 811, Saint Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople, sent Saint Michael the Confessor to Pope Leo III with a letter regarding the coronation of Emperor Michael the Stauracius. Michael became close to Venerable Gregory and brought him to the monastery on the cape of Akritas. There, the saint subjected himself to great hardships, eating only once every two or three days and sleeping on a mat. He bitterly lamented the turmoil in the Christian churches and, having shut himself in his cell, performed his private rule of prayer.

Venerable Gregory reposed around the year 820, leaving behind an example of a pious life and devotion to God.