Special Delivery
Oil on canvas 5' x 7'
The following is the central story from the longer record of the life of one remembered officially as Gregory the Illuminator. Many have written about him, most notably and extensively the Roman writer, Agathangelos, in his History of St. Gregory and the Conversion of Armenia. Gregory's testimony is also a part of the Catholic Encyclopedia. I was first inspired by his life as I came across it in the pages of Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries, from which quotes below are taken.
The Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus were the first to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Armenia; but almost 200 years later, the nation was still actively fighting against it taking any hold. In the later years of the 3rd century, Tiridates III rose to power in Armenia. As he took the throne, one of his priorities was eradication of faith in Christ.
Tiridates III is remembered in his early years for his vicious cruelty against Christians. He is credited with the violent deaths and persecution of many. One of his first targets for persecution was Gregory, a relative of the former royal family and an outspoken believer in Christ. Soon after Tiridates III was crowned, Gregory was imprisoned in solitary confinement. The writers differ on details of what took place, but it is certain that the conditions of his imprisonment and punishment were extreme. As Tiridates III rule advanced, time stood still for Gregory in his cell. A year passed. Then another. Five years. Ten. After fourteen years in solitary confinement, finally the door to his cell was opened and Gregory was asked to come out. A guard had been sent to him from the King's sister, the princess Khosrovitookht; she was asking for a meeting with Gregory. Thin as he was from years of meager rations, blinded by sudden exposure to the sun after being so long underground, his hair and beard falling wild to his waist, and dressed only in thin rags, Gregory stood before the royal princess. She explained that the King's violent opposition to Jesus Christ had finally caught up with him; after years of persecuting Christians, the King had lost his mind, turning as a wild man on all around him. For his own safety and the well-being of those near him, the insane King had been locked in his own room; the princess had taken charge of the kingdom. I pick up the record of the conversation between the princess and Gregory here, quoting from page 241 of the book, Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries: "...the princess went on: 'No one can enter his room for fear that he will kill them. I know this must be his reward for the evil he has done. But it has also allowed me to make arrangements for your release...' " 'Take me to him!', Gregory interrupted. "The princess looked at him in disbelief. 'But have you not understood what I have said? This is the man who threw you in that hole so many years ago! He will kill you! You, of all people! You can't go in!' "Again Gregory interrupted. 'Take me to him. As I have tried to teach you, God is not a God of madness, but of love. He has not cursed his majesty for my release, but rather brought me here for his majesty's sake.' " Further objections from the princess proved futile; Gregory was confident of the appointment before him. The princess offered him a bath and change of clothes; these too he would not consider, until his meeting with the King had taken place. So, with no small amount of fear on her part, the princess at last quietly unlocked the door to the King's room and stepped quickly aside. Gregory rushed in and the princess hurriedly shut and locked the heavy door behind him. Then she sat in the hallway and waited. Almost immediately there was commotion inside the locked chamber. This went on for a while, as the anxious princess waited. Then all became silent. Princess Khosrovitookht suspected that Gregory had been killed. Then a confident knock was heard on the door. The princess rose quickly, turned the key and opened the door slightly; she was greatly surprised and relieved to see Gregory's gentle smile radiating from the room. But even more to her amazement, she saw her brother, standing beside Gregory, now calm and in his right mind! Born out of the unlikely womb of years of persecution and solitary confinement, the deliverance, transformation, and faith that God brought to Tiridates III through Gregory soon spread to all the royal family. From his new position as the King's adviser, Gregory went on to spread faith in Christ freely throughout Armenia, bearing lasting fruit. The Catholic Encyclopedia credits Gregory with converting Armenia from paganism to Christianity. In 301 A.D., Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. |
Peculiar Graces: Special Delivery. Gregory of Armenia – Oh the grace given to him of such great meekness of the Lord! Firstly, to prevail against 14 years of solitary confinement – without people and without sunlight! What Wondrous Love kept Him?! None other than God’s, in His Presence, no doubt! Secondly, to immediately respond with mercy for his persecutor out of such meekness so as to rush to minister deliverance to him before any personal thought of self! This is none other than the mind of Christ. Gregory’s peculiar grace was his mind one with the Lord’s, and there, his spirit meekly and faithfully surrendered.