From the Prologue of Ochrid
He was called the Sinaite because he was tonsured a monk on Mount Sinai. In the time of Emperor Andronicus Palaeologus, around 1330, he came to the Holy Mountain to visit the monasteries and learn something about the prayer of the mind and contemplation. But these two spiritual practices were at that time all but unknown among the Athonites. The only one who knew this and practiced it to perfection was Saint Maximus of Kapsokalyvia. Gregory spread his teaching on the prayer of the mind throughout all the cells and monasteries of the Holy Mountain. His renowned disciple was Callistus, Patriarch of Constantinople, who also wrote the life of Saint Gregory. After that, Gregory crossed into Macedonia and other regions of the Balkans and founded communities in which monks practiced the prayer of the mind. Thus he helped many to deepen themselves and be saved. His writings on the prayer of the mind and asceticism are found in the Philokalia. Among other things, he also composed the hymns to the Holy Trinity "It is truly meet," which are sung at the Sunday midnight office. He ranks among the most illustrious ascetics and spiritual teachers in the Balkans. He peacefully reposed from a life of many labors and departed to the Kingdom of Christ.
