Orthodox Saint Gregory Palmas History and Name Day Information

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The saints are an important part of the Orthodox Christian Church. Their lives are celebrated throughout the year, and each saint has his or her own feast day. Orthodox Christians are typically named after the saints, and those who are would celebrate their name day on the saints’ feast days.

Saint Gregory Palmas is one of those saints. His feast day is on November 14th of each year. Here’s more information about him:

About Saint Gregory Palmas 

Saint Gregory Palmas wasn’t an early saint of the Orthodox Church. He was alive in the 1300’s. Born in Asia Minor, he was a Christian from a very young age. He was also part of the royal court of the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. As he got older, he decided to leave the court and head to Mount Athos where he practiced asceticism. In the Orthodox Church, asceticism is a practice where the individual avoids self indulgence in order to focus on what’s really important – God.

At some point, he found himself in Thessalonica. During his stay here, he suffered from an illness. He was sick for a while, and the origins and nature of his sickness are largely unknown. Sometime after that, he headed back to Constantinople where he was present for two major councils, one in 1341 and another in 1347. During these councils, he spoke passionately to defends the truths in the church. He maintained that man is supposed to have a genuine connection with God. He passed away in 1357 and his relics are kept in Thessalonica.

Hymns of Saint Gregory Palmas 

Saint Gregory Palmas’s feast day is on November 14th. Here are the hymns that are sung or chanted on this day.

Apolytikion of Gregory Palamas, Abp. Of Thessolonica – Plagal of the Fourth Tone

You are a guide of Orthodoxy, a teacher of piety and modesty, a luminary of the world, the God inspired pride of monastics. O wise Gregory, you have enlightened everyone by your teachings. You are the harp of the Spirit. Intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion of Gregory Palamas, Abp. Of Thessolonica – Plagal of the Fourth Tone

With one accord, we praise thee as the sacred and divine * vessel of wisdom and clear trumpet of theology, * O our righteous Father Gregory of divine speech. * As a mind that standeth now before the Primal Mind, * do thou ever guide aright and lead our mind to Him, * that we may cry: * Rejoice, O herald of grace divine.

Gregory Palmas is one of the saints of the Orthodox Christian Church. His feast day is on November 14th of each year.  Check the Name Day page for more information about other Orthodox Christian name days.

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Gregory Palmas – Also Source for Image Above

Categorized in: Greek Orthodox Religious Information

This post was written by Greek Boston