Saint Grigorios Orologas

Saint Gregory (Orologas) of Kydonies the Ethno-Hieromartyr, also Gregory of Cydoniae (Greek: Γρηγόριος Ωρολογάς Gregorios Orologas), 1864–1922, was a Greek Orthodox metropolitan bishop in the early 20th century in northwest Anatolia, in the Ottoman Empire. He was initially the Metropolitan of Strumica, in the region of Macedonia (October 12, 1902 – July 22, 1908), and then became the Metropolitan of Kydonies (modern Ayvalık), in northwestern Anatolia (July 22, 1908 – October 3, 1922). He was executed by the Turkish Army at the end of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). He is commemorated by the Greek Orthodox Church as an Ethno-Hieromartyr (Greek: Ἐθνοϊερομάρτυρας), and his feast day is celebrated on the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross each year (September 7–13). Gregory was born in Manisa (Magnesia), Ottoman Empire in 1864. His secular name was Anastasios Orologas or Saatsoglou. In 1882, he was admitted to the Theological School of Halki, supported by the Metropolitan of Ephesus, Agathangelos. When he entered the Theological School, he translated his surname from Saatsoglou to Orologas. He was a brilliant student and successfully completed his studies in 1889 by submitting his dissertation titled "The Holy Evangelists never disagreed over the Lord’s last Passover (Easter)". In the last year of his studies, according to the old custom, he became a priest, becoming first ordained a deacon and changing his name to Gregorios. After his graduation he served in various dioceses including Thessaloniki, Serres and Drama. Initially he served as a deacon and instructor of religion, and later as an Archimandrite, Protosyngellos and Preacher. He was among the first preachers who included the Demotic language in his sermons. On October 12, 1902, he was appointed Metropolitan Bishop of the important Metropolis of Strumica, in the region of Macedonia.