Summary

The Virgin Mary and the Apostle John was said to appear to St. Gregory the Wonderworker (213-270), before he was ordained bishop of Neocaesarea. The apostle, at the urging of Mary, would provide all the necessary clarifications to the Saint around the theological issues, particularly on the mystery of the Trinity, then the subject of strong controversy.

Source: Gamba, Mario. "Apparizioni mariane nel corso di due millenni" 1999 Ediz.Segno


Story

The first recorded Marian apparition was to Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker, Bishop of Neo Caeserea, who died in 270 A.D. The account of his vision is preserved by St. Gregory of Nyssa in his life of the Wonder-Worker:

... Once again [Gregory] was terrified and turned his face away, unable to bear its sight. The vision was especially amazing since the night was gloomy, for it resembled something like a light illuminated by another light. Since he could not look upon this spectacle, he heard from those who appeared to him speaking in detail about what he was seeking. Not only was he revered with regard to true knowledge of faith but recognized the names of each man who appeared when they called each other by their respective names. It is claimed that this vision of a female form told [Gregory] that the evangelist John was exhorted to manifest the mystery of truth to a young man, saying that she was chosen to be the mother of the Lord whom she cherished. He also said that this fitting vision had vanished again from his sight. He was immediately ordered to write down this divine revelation and later proclaim it in the church. In this way it became for others a divinely given legacy through which the people might repulse any evil of heresy. The words of that revelation are as follows:

One God, Father of the living Word (who consists of wisdom, power and who is the eternal pattern), perfect Begetter of who is perfect, Father of the Only Begotten Son.

One Lord alone from him who is alone, God from God, pattern and image of the divinity, mighty Word, wisdom which encompasses everything, true Son of true Father, immortal [Son] of the immortal [Father], and eternal [Son] of the eternal [Father]. One Holy Spirit whose life is from God and who was made manifest through the Son (as well as to men), perfect image of the perfect Son, living source of those who are alive, holy provider of sanctity in whom God the Father appeared who is above all and in all,

Perfect Trinity to whom belongs glory, eternity and kingship which can never change. (Thus the Trinity is not created, has anything else which claims to be first, nor is there anything which exists that can be introduced later. Similarly, the Son neither lacks the Father nor does the Spirit lack the Son; rather, the Trinity forever remains immutable and constant.)

According to Gregory of Nyssa (+ 394), the Blessed Virgin Mary and the apostle John appeared in 231, to St. Gregory the Wonder-Worker (213 ca.-270 approx.). Gregory, along with his brother Athenodoros, was a pupil of Origen and at that time was engaged in heavy theological discussions. One night he had an extraordinary vision: he saw an old man, dressed in dignified clothes, who, in a subdued voice, pointed to a woman far more beautiful and majestic than known to man; Gregory recognized that as the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary . The extraordinary nature of the apparition was that, despite being in the middle of the night, a light shone clear thorugh those figures, as if it were a lamp burning on. Unable to bear with his human eyes the appearance and the light, Gregory closed his eyes and sat alone listening to her who had appeared and that was certainly the Mother of God. John the Evangelist (the old man), then, to please Mary, gave to Gregory detailed explanations on questions of religious doctrine, the subject of strong dispute in which he was actively engaged. After providing this clarification, the two disappeared.

Gregory was of a distinguished pagan family. He was born at Neocaesarea, Pontus, and studied law there. About 233, he and his brother, Athenodorus, accompanied his sister, who was joining her husband in Caesarea, Palestine, while they continued on to Beirut to continue their law studies.

They met Origen and instead of going to Beirut, entered his school at Caesarea, studied theology, were converted to Christianity by Origen, and became his disciples. Gregory returned to Neocaesarea about 238, intending to practice law, but was elected bishop by the seventeen Christians of the city. It soon became apparent that he was gifted with remarkable powers. He preached eloquently, made so many converts he was able to build a church, and soon was so reknowned for his miracles that he was surnamed Thaumaturgus (the wonderworker).

He was a much-sought-after arbiter for his wisdom and legal knowledge and ability, advised his flock to go into hiding when Decius' persecution of the Christians broke out in 250, and fled to the desert with his deacon. On his return, he ministered to his flock when plague struck his See and when the Goths devastated Pontus, 252-254, which he described in his "Canonical Letter."

He participated in the synod of Antioch, 264-265, against Samosata, and fought sabellianism and Tritheism. It is reported that at his death at Neocaesarea, only seventeen unbelievers were left in the city. He is invoked against floods and earthquakes (at one time he reportedly stopped the flooding Lycus, and at another, he moved a mountain).

He wrote a panegyric to Origen, a treatise on the Creed, and a dissertation addressed to Theopompus; St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote a panegyric to Gregory Thaumaturgus.

St. Gregory, nicknamed the Wonderworker, was born at the beginning of the century in Neocaesarea. His parents, distinguished by their nobility and wealth, but idolaters, brought him and his brother Athenodorus up in pagan superstitions. But Divine Providence had predetermined to make two great luminaries of the Church, ruled that even children find truth and true religion.

Gifted with great perception and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Gregory was made to attend the school of philosophy of the famous Origen.

In light of those lessons so eloquent, his logical mind was lit and soon wanted to be baptized. Depth especially in the study of Sacred Scripture, he resolved to devote himself entirely to the divine service, and renounce every earthly blessing. In fact, while he was at Caesarea, the death of the kidnapped parents, and he being master of much wealth, it was part of widows and orphans and retired to a solitude.

Penance, prayer and study of the Bible was his great means to ascend to contemplation and perfection. He could not, however, remain unknown, because the fame of his virtues and his counsel came to the ears of the holy bishop Photinus, that special revelation of the Holy Spirit, wanted him to shine on the candlestick of the Church, Bishop of Neocaesarea creating it.

Repeatedly tried in vain to escape the heavy burden, but known to be that God's will, after suitable preparation, made ??its entry into the densely populated city, but that did not count more than 17 Christians.

Nevertheless, his reputation as a remarkable man had unconsciously prepared the people to idolatrous worship of the true God, and for its part, the Holy spared no effort, prayers and miracles especially to hasten the conversion.

We quote a few. It was built the first Christian church, but the river on one side and mountains on the other made ??it cramped the place. The Holy orders to depart to the mountain, and Mount obediently moves as necessary.

The people complained that a swamp have already caused discord among brothers, rendered unhealthy climate. Gregory with the sign of the cross is becoming fertile countryside.

In full, the stream burst its banks and threatened Casalmacco the village: it hastens the holy plant on earth his staff, the waters recede in their bed and stick becomes very robust plant.

The many wonders of the miracle worker bishop does not avail to save him from the persecution of Decius, nor exile. From there watched and prayed for perseverance in the faith of his flock.

Then known by divine revelation, the time of his death, he commanded to make diligent search of those still remain pagans in his diocese, who were 17 and knew he exclaimed: "Deo gratias, I came here I found just 17 Christians."

After 25 years as bishop closed his eyes peacefully in the Lord. The year was 270.

Author: Antonio Galuzzi

from the site www.santiebeati.it