ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we than thee for thy servant Gregory, whom thou didst call to preach the Gospel to the people of Armenia: Raise up, we pray thee, in this and every land, heralds and evangelists of thy kingdom, that thy Church may make known the unsearchable riches of Christ, and may increase with the increase of God; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Armenia was the first country to become Christian, and it recognizes Gregory as its apostle. Armenia was the kingdom between the powerful empires of Rome and Persia, and both worked to control it. Born about 257, when Gregory was still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Persia, and friends of the family carried Gregory away for protection to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was raised as a Christian. In 280 he returned to Armenia and by his preaching and example brought both King Tiridates and a majority of his people to the Christian faith.
