Saint Grigol Peradze
Georgia
Saint Grigol Peradze was a Georgian Orthodox priest, theologian, and historian. Revered for his contributions to church history and theology, he is best known for his selfless acts of compassion during World War II. Ordained as a priest in 1927, he subsequently moved to Poland where he served as a pastor and academic. When World War II broke out, he provided shelter and aid to refugees, including Jews, risking his life to help others in the face of Nazi persecution. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1942, he chose to go to Auschwitz in place of another prisoner. In the concentration camp, he continued to minister to others until his death in the gas chamber on December 6, 1942. Recognized as a martyr, he was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 1995, his life symbolizing the epitome of self-sacrifice, love, and devotion to humanity.
Read More