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On
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Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica 11/27/2013
Gregory’s father was a high official on the court of the Emperor Andronicus II Paleologus. When the talented Gregory had acquired great knowledge of secular learning, he did not wish to hold an office at the court, but left for Mount Athos where he entered upon the monastic life. He led his ascetic life in the Monastery of Vatopedi and later in the Great Lavra. He struggled against the heretic Barlaam and at the end won the victory over him. He was consecrated Bishop of Thessalonica in the year 1347. He was praised as an ascetic and as a theologian, as a hierarch and a wonderworker. During his lifetime to him continually appeared the Holy Mother of God, Saint John the Theologian, Saint Demetrius, Saint Anthony the Great, Saint John Chrysostom and the angels of God. He governed the Church in Thessalonica for thirteen years, of which he was held for a year by the Saracens in Asia Minor. He peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1360. His holy relics rest in Thessalonica, in the magnificent church dedicated to his name.
