Patriarch
Saint Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople, occupied the patriarchal throne on three occasions (1797–1799, 1806–1808, and 1819–1821), serving under the severe pressures and hardships imposed by the Ottoman rule. He courageously supported the Greek people in their struggle for independence. Following the crossing of the Prut River by Alexander Ypsilantis and his forces, Patriarch Gregory was arrested, hanged at the gate of the Patriarchate and cast into the sea. His execution took place on 10 April 1821.
Greek sailors recovered his body from the sea and transported it to Odessa, where it was buried on 19 June 1821 in the Church of the Holy Trinity. From Moscow, a patriarchal vestment, mitre, and pectoral cross, formerly belonging to Patriarch Nicholas, were sent in his honor.
In 1871, at the request of the Greek government and in order to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Greek independence, the saint's holy relics were transferred from Odessa to Athens. On that occasion, a special liturgical service was composed in his honor.
