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St. Gregory Reveals His Christian Identity
It was at that time (between 274 and 276) that Gregory, who had found out about his father's vile deed, decided entered the service of Drtad under a false identity to make amends. He pursued his duties faithfully over a period of several years. Drtad, once again with Roman help, was permanently established on the throne of western (Roman) Armenia in 287. Soon after, the relationship between him and Gregory deteriorated. The ceremony of thanksgiving and sacrifice to the pagan goddess Anahid in the village of Yeres (province of Yegeghik in western Armenia), following Drtad's great victory over the Persians. When Gregory refused to offer wreaths and thick branches of trees to the altar of the goddess at the king's request, he was incarcerated. During an interrogation by Drtad, Gregory remained firm in his faith in Christ and confessed that he feared God and worshipped the Holy Trinity.
In reckoning his father's heinous deed by enlightening our people with the Divine light, he gave the posterity of those who suffered the loss of a king and independence, and opportunity to inherit eternal life in the kingdom of God.