Hierarch · 1296–1359
Gregory Palamas
Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
New Calendar November 14 Old Calendar November 27
Why they are a saint
Gregory Palamas is remembered as defended hesychast prayer and the distinction of God's essence and energies. The Second Sunday of Lent is dedicated to him. The years given for this life are 1296–1359. The New Calendar feast is November 14.
Life
Saint Gregory Palamas was born in 1296 in Constantinople; after his father's early death the emperor Andronicus II helped raise him. Around twenty he withdrew to Mount Athos, becoming a monk at Vatopedi, then living at the Great Lavra and in the skete of Glossia.
When the Calabrian monk Barlaam attacked the hesychast monks and called the light of Tabor created, Gregory defended them in writing in the 'Triads in Defense of the Holy Hesychasts' (1338). On May 27, 1341, a Council in Constantinople accepted his teaching that God, unapproachable in His essence, reveals Himself through His energies.
As Archbishop of Thessalonica he was not at once accepted by the city. Once, on the way to Constantinople, he was captured by the Turks and preached even in captivity until he was ransomed. He worked many healings in his last years and fell asleep on November 14, 1359, saying 'To the heights!' He was canonized in 1368.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for hesychasm, the Second Sunday of Lent. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Gregory Palamas, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Gregory the Theologian; Gregory of Nyssa; Gregory of Sinai.