St. Gregory, Goes from Wealthy Pagan to Convert Entire Town to Christianity

November 17 marks the feast day of
Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus The Wonder Worker patron saint of people facing earthquakes, floods, forgotten causes, and with St. Rita of Cascia, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Philomena, St. Gregory Thaumaturgus is also patron saint of desperate or impossible causes.

Sorely needed to convert Hollywood.

Gregory was born around AD 213 to a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea (modern Niksar, then the capital of the area of Pontus in Asia Minor), nicknamedThaumaturgus,

If you were challenged to convert a whole pagan town to Christianity, what would you do? Archbishop Desmond Titu famously said "Don't raise your voice, improve your argument. Apparently young Gregory agreed with Archbishop Tutu. Young Gregory expected Christianity to triumph through the sheer joy of its message. Instead of pagan cynicism and despair, it offered hope:

And if any one does not believe that death is abolished, that Hades is trodden under foot, that its chains are broken, that the tyrant is bound, let him look on the martyrs deporting themselves in the presence of death, and taking up the jubilant strain of the victory of Christ. O the marvel! Since the hour when Christ despoiled Hades, men have danced in triumph over death.

Yet, a  persuasive argument may be necessary, but not sufficient. Consider that evangelization,  is sharing the Christian faith with others through words, actions, and lifestyle, with the goal of helping them come to faith in Jesus Christ. It's a multifaceted process that involves living a life that reflects faith, engaging in meaningful conversations, and sharing the good news of salvation.

Key aspects of evangelization:
Living out your faith:
Your daily life should be a testament to your belief, demonstrating the love, compassion, and truth that you find in Christianity.

Sharing your testimony:
Personal stories of how God has worked in your life can be powerful tools for evangelism, inspiring others to seek a relationship with Him.

Praying for opportunities:
Pray for God to open doors for you to share the gospel and for Him to prepare hearts to be receptive to your message.

Engaging in conversation:
Be ready to have conversations about your faith when opportunities arise, but avoid being pushy or judgmental.

Active listening:
Pay attention to the needs, questions, and concerns of others, and tailor your message accordingly.

Empathy:
Show genuine care and concern for the people you are trying to reach, demonstrating that you are not just interested in winning them over, but in their well-being.

Using various modes of evangelism:
Consider different approaches, such as personal witness, lifestyle evangelism, or sharing your faith through social media or other platforms.

Inviting people to church:
Encourage others to attend church services or other Christian gatherings where they can learn more about the faith.

Sharing the message of Jesus:
Make sure to clearly and concisely share the core message of the gospel, which is about God's love for humanity, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and the promise of eternal life through faith.

Trusting in God's work:
Remember that ultimately, it is God who does the work of conversion, and your role is to be a faithful witness and to trust in His timing.

Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus, also known as Gregory the Wonderworker, converted nearly everyone in the city of Neocaesarea (now known as Niksar in Turkey) to Christianity during his lifetime. Upon his arrival, there were only 17 Christians, and by the time of his death, only 17 pagans remained. This conversion, though dramatic, is presented as a testament to his missionary zeal and the miracles attributed to him

Father Mark-Mary, refers to Saint Gregory on his Rosary in a Year Podcast, Day 109 as a reflection on the mystery

Gregory was born into a prosperous pagan home around 212. They wanted him to become a lawyer. Gregory and his brother Athenodorus planned to attend a famous law school in Lebanon. On the way, they first had to escort their sister to rejoin her husband, who was a government official assigned to Caesarea in Palestine.


While in Caesarea, they made a life-changing decision. The famous theologian Origen was newly arrived from Egypt. They decided to check him out and “were held spell-bound by his disquisitions on the true aims of life.” Impressed with Origen’s oratorical skill, his virtuous life, and brilliance, they became his pupils. Origen soon converted them to Christianity, and for at least five years they studied theology and philosophy with him. On departing, Gregory made a lengthy and pompous oration of thanks to Origen.

When Gregory headed home, he still planned to practice oratory, but also wanted to write a book proving the truth of Christianity.  He never followed through on the second project. Nor did he become a lawyer. Instead, he became bishop. 

Prayer to Saint Gregory

O holy Saint Gregory, confessor and priest of the Lord, I pray thee that thou wouldst intercede with our Lord God for me, that, being purified from all vice, I may please Him in all things, and that He will grant me the peace possessed by all His servants.
Amen.