Gregory of Antioch
Encyclopedia
Gregory of Antioch was the Greek Patriarch of Antioch
from 571 to 593.
Gregory of Antioch began as a monk in the monastery of the Byzantines in Jerusalem, or so we learn from Evagrius Scholasticus
. He was transferred by the emperor
Justin II
(565-578 ) to Sinai
. He was abbot
there when the monastery was attacked by Arabs. John Moschus mentions he was also abbot of Pharan in Palestine
. In 569-70 he became Patriarch of Antioch after Justin II deposed the Patriarch Anastasius I of Antioch.
In 578, Anatolius
accused Gregory of being a crypto-pagan
involved in the sacrifice of a boy, but recanted "on being subjected to extreme of torture"
Gregory was an influential figure, who quarrelled with the Count of the East and was subjected to official harassment and "enquiries" in consequence, including an appearance in court in Constantinople
some time before 588. The charges were trumped up, it seems, and he was acquitted. When Roman troops fighting the Persians mutinied in the time of the emperor Maurice I, Gregory was asked to mediate.
When Chosroes II of Persia was obliged to flee to the Romans for safety early in his reign, Gregory of Antioch and Domitian, metropolitan
of Melitene, were sent to meet him. His services were evidently acceptable; when Chosroes regained his kingdom, he sent Gregory the cross which had been earlier carried off from Sergiopolis by Chosroes I. After this, Gregory made a tour of the border lands to convert Monophysites to the Chalcedonian
definitions. He died in 593-4 from taking a drug, intended to relieve gout
. His predecessor Anastasius I of Antioch then become Patriarch once more.
Five homilies
have reached us.
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
from 571 to 593.
Gregory of Antioch began as a monk in the monastery of the Byzantines in Jerusalem, or so we learn from Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus was a Syrian scholar and intellectual living in the 6th century AD, and an aide to the patriarch Gregory of Antioch. His surviving work, Ecclesiastical History, comprises a six-volume collection concerning the Church's history from the First Council of Ephesus to Maurice’s...
. He was transferred by the emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Justin II
Justin II
Justin II was Byzantine Emperor from 565 to 578. He was the husband of Sophia, nephew of Justinian I and the late Empress Theodora, and was therefore a member of the Justinian Dynasty. His reign is marked by war with Persia and the loss of the greater part of Italy...
(565-578 ) to Sinai
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai , also known as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa , Jabal Musa meaning "Moses' Mountain", is a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. A mountain called Mount Sinai is mentioned many times in the Book of Exodus in the Torah and the Bible as well as the Quran...
. He was abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
there when the monastery was attacked by Arabs. John Moschus mentions he was also abbot of Pharan in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. In 569-70 he became Patriarch of Antioch after Justin II deposed the Patriarch Anastasius I of Antioch.
In 578, Anatolius
Anatolius (Osroene)
Anatolius was a Byzantine official, active in the reign of Tiberius II Constantine . He was a topoteretes of the praetorian prefecture of the East and praeses of Osroene. He was accused of being a crypto-pagan and consequently executed.- Sources :Primary sources about him include Evagrius...
accused Gregory of being a crypto-pagan
Crypto-Paganism
Crypto-Pagans are pagan and neoplatonic groups that have had to pretend to be members of a mandated or mainstream religion while secretly practicing their true religion.-Neopaganism:...
involved in the sacrifice of a boy, but recanted "on being subjected to extreme of torture"
Gregory was an influential figure, who quarrelled with the Count of the East and was subjected to official harassment and "enquiries" in consequence, including an appearance in court in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
some time before 588. The charges were trumped up, it seems, and he was acquitted. When Roman troops fighting the Persians mutinied in the time of the emperor Maurice I, Gregory was asked to mediate.
When Chosroes II of Persia was obliged to flee to the Romans for safety early in his reign, Gregory of Antioch and Domitian, metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Melitene, were sent to meet him. His services were evidently acceptable; when Chosroes regained his kingdom, he sent Gregory the cross which had been earlier carried off from Sergiopolis by Chosroes I. After this, Gregory made a tour of the border lands to convert Monophysites to the Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian describes churches and theologians which accept the definition given at the Council of Chalcedon of how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus Christ...
definitions. He died in 593-4 from taking a drug, intended to relieve gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
. His predecessor Anastasius I of Antioch then become Patriarch once more.
Five homilies
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
have reached us.