Early Life and Education
Gregory was born around 1296, probably in Constantinople, into a noble Anatolian family. His father, Constantine, was a courtier of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos. After his father's early death, the Emperor himself took part in the upbringing of the gifted boy.
He pursued a broad education at the University of Constantinople, where his studies included the philosophy of Aristotle. Rather than enter government service, for which his training prepared him, Gregory chose the monastic life.
Monastic Life on Mount Athos
At about the age of twenty-one, around 1316–1318, Gregory withdrew to Mount Athos, accompanied by his brothers. He became a novice at Vatopedi Monastery under the elder St. Nicodemos, and later moved to the Great Lavra of St. Athanasius the Athonite.
He taught and practiced hesychasm in a skete called Glossia. Around 1326, amid the threat of Turkish invasion, he relocated to Thessalonica, where he was ordained a priest, and he founded a hermit community near Veria (Beroea). He briefly served as Abbot of Esphigmenou Monastery before resigning around 1335 amid disputes over his austere administration.
The Hesychast Controversy
Around 1336–1337, Gregory received treatises by Barlaam of Calabria. Barlaam argued that God's nature was ultimately unknowable and disparaged the hesychast monks, mocking them as 'omphalopsychoi' (men with their souls in their navels) and accusing them of the Messalian heresy; he rejected their doctrine of the uncreated divine light as polytheistic. Barlaam further held that philosophers had attained a better knowledge of God than had the prophets.
Gregory responded first with his 'Apodictic Treatises,' then composed nine treatises titled 'Triads for the Defense of Those Who Practice Sacred Quietude' (c. 1338). Central to his teaching was a distinction between knowing God's essence and his energies: humans cannot comprehend God's fundamental nature, yet may truly experience divine revelation through his uncreated energies.
By 1340–1341, the monks of Mount Athos produced the Hagioritic Tome under Gregory's supervision, affirming his theology. A succession of patriarchal councils at Constantinople addressed the dispute, convening in 1341, 1344, 1347, and 1351. The synod of 1341 condemned Barlaam, who departed for Calabria, converted to Roman Catholicism, and became Bishop of Gerace; Gregory Akindynos then became the chief critic. A council in 1344 excommunicated Gregory, but the conclusive synod of May 1351 exonerated him and condemned his opponents.
Imprisonment and Episcopacy
Beginning in 1344, Gregory was imprisoned for four years under Patriarch John XIV. In 1347, under Patriarch Isidore, he was released and consecrated Metropolitan (Archbishop) of Thessalonica, though local resistance prevented him from occupying the episcopal chair until 1350.
In 1354, during a voyage to Constantinople, his ship was captured by Turkish pirates. He was held at the Ottoman court for approximately one year before a ransom secured his release.
Legacy
Gregory's teaching, termed Palamism, emphasizes the essence-energies distinction, theosis (deification), hesychasm, and the uncreated Tabor Light. His writings include passages preserved in the Philokalia.
He was canonized by Patriarch Philotheos of Constantinople in 1368. The patriarch wrote his Vita and composed his commemorative service.
Relics & Shrines
Gregory's relics rest in the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Thessalonica. The present cathedral was constructed by the architect Ernst Ziller in 1938.
