Gregory the Commander was a Sasanian military leader from the House of Mihran, who denounced Zoroastrianism and converted to Christianity, but was later as a result executed between 555-562.
Biography
A native of Ray, Gregory converted to Christianity in 518 during a feast before many other Sasanian soldiers. However, this didn't bother king Khosrau I (r. 531-579), who in 534 appointed Gregory as the commander of the Sasanian army in the Caucasus. However, Khosrau I was eventually forced to dismiss and imprison Gregory after pressure from the court, who stated that "It is a great dishonor for the religion of the Magians that such a great man from the lineage of the house of Mihran, who have always been servants of Ohrmazd, now becomes a servant of Christ."
However, the Mihranids considered Khosrau's choice insufficient, and wanted Gregory executed; Mihran, the son of Gregory's paternal uncle, asked Khosrau to punish Gregory for "bringing dishonor to our lineage." Mihran had just returned from a successful expedition against the Hephthalites, and was thus in a great position to request such a favor; Gregory was eventually executed.