St. Nerses the Great

"When you see the cross, know and believe that you are seeing Christ enthroned on it; when you pray before the cross, believe that you are doing so concerning Christ our God and not with inanimate matter. For it is Christ Who receives the veneration you offer before the cross; and it is He Who hears the supplications of your mouth and fulfills the desires of your heart, which you ask with faith. Whoever does not honor the cross, or insults it, insults Christ Himself."
- St. Nerses the Gracious (1100 - 1173)

Today is the feast day of St. Nerses the Great. St. Nerses was born in the 4th century in Armenia. In his youth, he studied in Cappadocia and married a princess. The princess gave birth to a son named Isaac who was later to become St. Isaac the Great. After the princess passed away, Nerses served in the court of King Arshak of Armenia as chamberlain. In 353, he was made patriarch (also called a Catholicos) of the Armenians and started reform work almost immediately. Throughout his time as patriarch, he established monasteries and hospitals. He called for a synod in 365, which was based on the principles he had learned under St. Basil. He was exiled after a while, however, because of his denunciations of King Arshak for killing his wife and because of his reforms. He came back after he heard of King Arshak's death in battle, but did not have much better relationships with the new king, Pap. In 373, he was poisoned while at a royal banquet that he was invited to at Khankh. 

St. Nerses the Great, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About St. Nerses Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4824

http://www.menqhayenq.ru/en/candidates/24/index.html