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"He was bishop of Neocæsarea in Pontus; eminent for his great learning and virtues, but much more for his miracles, which he wrought in such numbers that he was called Thaumaturgus, which signifies, Worker of Miracles. In this respect, as St. Basil says, he might be compared with Moses and the apostles. When he built a church at Neocæsarea, he commanded a mountain which obstructed the work, to remove and yield place, which it did. He fixed his staff near the bank of a river, which sometimes overflowed and swept away inhabitants, houses, cattle and crops; and no such floods happened again. His staff also grew, and became a tree. A lake, which was a subject of contention between two brothers, was dried up at the prayers of the saint, and became solid land, whereby the cause of dispute was removed. He was a man of a prophetic and apostolic spirit; and in his devotions, he shewed the greatest reverence and recollection. He abhorred lies and falsehood, and particularly all detraction. No anger or bitterness ever appeared in his words or behavior. A little before his death, he inquired how many infidels yet remained in the city; and being told that there were seventeen, he sighed, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, expressed his grief that any continued strangers to the true religion, but thankfully acknowledged as a great mercy, that having found but seventeen Christians at his first coming thither, he left but seventeen idolators. He died in the year 270, or 271

Pray for all the pastors of the church; that by their vigilance and good example, they may bring forth a plentiful harvest. All who are engaged in error, or in a sinful state, stand in need of their help, and ought to be the subject of their labors and prayers, that none may perish through their neglect. In whatever degree you are, let your words and example be to edification. Endeavor to do good to all, and let the great charity of this saint teach you not to conceal any thing that may be beneficial to the public." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

"St. GREGORY was born in Pontus, of heathen parents. In Palestine, about the year 231, he studied philosophy under the great Origen, who led him from the pursuit of human wisdom to Christ, Who is the Wisdom of God. Not long after, he was made Bishop of Neo-Cæsarea in his own country. As he lay awake one night an old man entered his room, and pointed to a lady of superhuman beauty, and radiant with heavenly light. This old man was St. John the Evangelist, and the lady told him to give Gregory the instruction he desired. Thereupon he gave St. Gregory a creed which contained in all its fulness the doctrine of the Trinity. St. Gregory set it in writing, directed all his preaching by it, and handed it down to his successors. Strong in this faith, he subdued demons; he foretold the future. At his word a rock moved from its place, a river changed its course, a lake was dried up. He converted his diocese, and strengthened those under persecution. He struck down a rising heresy; and, when he was gone, this creed preserved his flock from the Arian pest. St. Gregory died in the year 270.