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For this individual's father, see Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder. Gregory the Elder, or Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder, (c276-374 was the bishop of the see of Nazianzus in Roman province of Cappadocia.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
St. Gregory the Theologian
Fresco from Kariye Camii, Istanbul, Turkey
Theologian, Doctor of the Church, Great Hierarch, Cappadocian Father, Ecumenical Teacher
Born AD 329, Arianzum, Cappadocia
Died January 25, 389, Arianzum, Cappadocia
Venerated in Eastern and Western Christianity
Canonized pre-congregation
Major shrine Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in the Fanar
Feast Eastern Orthodox Church: January 25 (primary feast day)
January 30 (Three Great Hierarchs)
Roman Catholic Church: January 2 (formerly May 9)
Attributes Vested as a bishop, wearing omophorion; holding a Gospel Book or scroll. Fresco (plural either frescos or frescoes) is any of several related Painting types done on Plaster on walls or The Chora Church ( Turkish Kariye Müzesi, Kariye Camii, or Kariye Kilisesi — the Chora Museum Mosque or Church) is considered to Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective Doctor of the Church ( Latin doctor, teacher from Latin docere, to teach is a title given by a variety of Christian Churches to individuals The Three Holy Hierarchs ( Greek: Οι Τρείς Ιεράρχες of Eastern Christianity refers to Basil the Great (known as Basil of Caesarea The Cappadocians (or Cappadocian philosophers, Cappadocian Fathers) are significant figures in the history of the Church Fathers, who significantly Ecumene (also spelled œcumene or oikoumene) a term originally used in the Greco-Roman world to refer to the inhabited earth (or at least the known Nazianzus (in Greek Nazianzos) is a Roman Catholic Titular metropolitan see in the former Roman province of Cappadocia Tertia. Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events By Place Roman Empire All pagan buildings in Alexandria, including the library are destroyed on the order of Theodosius Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Canonization is the act by which a particular Christian church declares a deceased person to be a Saint and is included in the canon or list of recognized saints A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used History Early history Christianity in Byzantium existed from the time of the Twelve Apostles, but it was in the year 330 that the Roman Emperor The Church of St George ( Greek: Καθεδρικός ναός του Αγίου Γεωργίου Kathedrikós Naós tou Agíou Geōrgíou, Turkish Fener, Fanar or Phanar ( Greek Φανάρι) is a neighborhood midway up the Golden Horn, within the borough of Fatih in The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain The Three Holy Hierarchs ( Greek: Οι Τρείς Ιεράρχες of Eastern Christianity refers to Basil the Great (known as Basil of Caesarea Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Christianity has used symbols from its very beginnings Each Saint has a story and a reason why he or she led an exemplary life Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions especially the Latin Rite and other Roman Catholics A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight In the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgical tradition the omophorion ( Greek:; Slavonic: омофоръ omofor) The Gospel Book, or Book of the Gospels ( Greek:, Evangélion) is a Codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels A scroll is a roll of Papyrus, Parchment, or Paper which has been written drawn or painted upon for the purpose of transmitting information or using as Iconographically, he is depicted as balding with a bushy white beard
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Gregory of Nazianzus (329 – January 25, 389) (also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen) was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. Iconography is the branch of Art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images Events By Place Asia The Han Zhao state ends By Topic Religion Roman restrictions Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events By Place Roman Empire All pagan buildings in Alexandria, including the library are destroyed on the order of Theodosius In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church [1] As a classically trained speaker and philosopher he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective [2]

Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek-speaking and Latin-speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the "Trinitarian Theologian". SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Trinity. Along with two brothers, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي The Cappadocians (or Cappadocian philosophers, Cappadocian Fathers) are significant figures in the history of the Church Fathers, who significantly

Gregory is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church In the Roman Catholic Church he is among the Doctors of the Church; in Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom. As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described Doctor of the Church ( Latin doctor, teacher from Latin docere, to teach is a title given by a variety of Christian Churches to individuals The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Three Holy Hierarchs ( Greek: Οι Τρείς Ιεράρχες of Eastern Christianity refers to Basil the Great (known as Basil of Caesarea This article refers to the Christian saint For other uses of the name see Chrysostomos.

Contents

Biography

Early life and education

Gregory was born in Arianzus, near Nazianzus, in southwest Cappadocia. Nazianzus (in Greek Nazianzos) is a Roman Catholic Titular metropolitan see in the former Roman province of Cappadocia Tertia. Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: [3] His parents, Gregory and Nonna, were wealthy land-owners. Gregory the Elder, or Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder, (c276-374 was the bishop of the see of Nazianzus in Roman province of Cappadocia. Saint Nonna of Nazianzus was the wife of Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder, and the mother of Gregory the Theologian, Caesarius, and Gorgonia In AD 325 Nonna converted her husband to Christianity; he was subsequently consecrated bishop of Nazianzus in 328 or 329. [4] The young Gregory and his brother, Caesarius, first studied at home with their uncle Amphylokhios. For others with this name see Caesarius. Caesarius of Nazianzus (also spelled Cæsarius and Caesarios (c Gregory went on to study advanced rhetoric and philosophy in Nazianzus, Caesarea, Alexandria and Athens. Kayseri ( Ottoman Turkish:قیصریه Greek: Καισάρεια / Kaisareia: Latin: Caesarea Mazaca Zazaish Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's While at Athens he developed a close friendship with fellow student Saint Basil of Caesarea and also made the acquaintance of Julian, the later emperor who would become known as Julian the Apostate. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin Flavius Claudius Julianus, known also as Julian or Julian the Apostate (331 or 332 to 26 June 363) was Roman Emperor (Caesar [5] In Athens Gregory studied under the famous rhetoricians Himerius and Proaeresius. Himerius (ca 315-386 Greek Sophist and Rhetorician was born at Prusa in Bithynia. Prohaeresius (Պարույր Parouyr Προαιρέσιος was a fourth century Armenian Christian teacher and Rhetorician originally from Caesarea [6] Upon finishing his education he taught rhetoric in Athens for a short time.

Priesthood

In 361, Gregory returned to Nazianzus and was ordained a presbyter by his father, who wanted him to assist with caring for local Christians. Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations then a synonym of episkopos (which has now come to mean Bishop [7] The younger Gregory, who had been considering a monastic existence, resented his father's decision to force him to choose between priestly services and a solitary existence, calling it an "act of tyranny". [8] Leaving home after a few days, he met his friend Basil at Annesoi, where the two lived as ascetics. [9] However, Basil urged him to return home to assist his father, which he did for the next year. Arriving at Nazianzus, Gregory found the local Christian community split by theological differences and his father accused of heresy by local monks. [10] Gregory helped to heal the division through a combination of personal diplomacy and oratory.

By this time Emperor Julian had publicly declared himself in opposition to Christianity. [11] In response to the emperor's rejection of the Christian faith, Gregory composed his Invectives Against Julian between 362 and 363. Disparaging the emperor's morals and intellect, the Invectives assert that Christianity will overcome imperfect rulers such as Julian through love and patience. This process as described by Gregory is the public manifestation of the process of deification (theosis), which leads to a spiritual elevation and mystical union with God. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis [12] Julian resolved in late 362 to vigorously prosecute Gregory and his other Christian critics; however, the emperor perished the following year during a campaign against the Persians. [13] With the death of the emperor, Gregory and the Eastern churches were no longer under the threat of persecution, as the new emperor Jovian was an avowed Christian and supporter of the church. For other meanings see Jovian (disambiguation. Flavius Iovianus, Anglicized to Jovian, ( 331 - 17 February [14]

Gregory spent the next few years combating the Arian heresy, which threatened to divide the region of Cappadocia. Arianism is the theological teaching of Arius (c AD 250-336 who was ruled a heretic by the Christian church at the Council of Nicea. In this tense environment Gregory interceded on behalf of his friend Basil with Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea (Maritima). Caesarea Maritima (Greek παράλιος Καισάρεια called Caesarea Palaestina from 133 CE onwards was a city and Harbor built by Herod the Great [15] The two friends then entered a period of close fraternal cooperation as they participated in a great rhetorical contest of the Caesarean church precipitated by the arrival of accomplished Arian theologians and rhetors. [16] In the subsequent public debates, presided over by agents of the emperor Valens, Gregory and Basil emerged triumphant. This article is about the Roman Emperor For other people called Valens see Valens Flavius Julius Valens ( Latin: DOMINVS This success confirmed for both Gregory and Basil that their futures lay in administration of the church. [16] Basil, who had long displayed inclinations to the episcopacy, was elected bishop of the see of Caesarea in Cappadocia in 370. Kayseri ( Ottoman Turkish:قیصریه Greek: Καισάρεια / Kaisareia: Latin: Caesarea Mazaca Zazaish

Episcopate in Sasima and Nazianzus

Gregory was consecrated Bishop of Sasima in 372 by Basil. Sasima is a Roman Catholic Titular see in the former Roman province of Cappadocia. [17] This was a see newly created by Basil in order to strengthen his position in his dispute with Anthimus, bishop of Tyana. For the Genus of nolid Moths see Tyana (moth. Tyana (or Tyanna) was an ancient city of Anatolia [18] The ambitions of Gregory's father to have his son rise in the church hierarchy and the insistence of his friend Basil convinced Gregory to accept this position despite his reservations. Gregory would later refer to his episcopal ordination as forced upon him by his strong-willed father and Basil. [19] Describing his new bishopric, Gregory lamented how it was nothing more than an "utterly dreadful, pokey little hole; a paltry horse-stop on the main road. . . devoid of water, vegetation, or the company of gentlemen. . . this was my Church of Sasima!"[20] He made little effort to administer his new diocese, complaining to Basil he preferred instead to pursue a contemplative life. [21]

By late 372 Gregory returned to Nazianzus to assist his dying father with the administration of his diocese. [22] This strained his relationship with Basil, who insisted that Gregory assume his post at Sasima. Gregory retorted that he had no intention to continue to play the role of pawn to advance Basil's interests. [23] He instead focused his attention on his new duties as co-adjutor of Nazianzus. A coadjutor bishop (or bishop coadjutor) is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop It was here that Gregory preached the first of his great episcopal orations.

Following the deaths of his mother and father in 374, Gregory continued to administer the diocese of Nazianzus but refused to be named bishop. Donating most of his inheritance to the needy, he lived an austere existence. [24] At the end of 375 he withdrew to a monastery at Seleukia, living there for three years. Silifke (Selefke Greek: Σελεύκεια, Seleucia or Seleukeia) is a town and district in south-central Mersin Province, Near the end of this period his friend Basil died. Although Gregory's health did not permit him to attend the funeral, he wrote a heartfelt letter of condolence to Basil's brother, Gregory of Nyssa and composed twelve memorial poems dedicated to the memory of his departed friend. Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي

Gregory at Constantinople

Emperor Valens died in 378. The succession of Theodosius I, a steadfast supporter of Nicene orthodoxy, was good news to those who wished to purge Constantinople of Arian and Apollinarian domination. Flavius Theodosius (January 11 347 – January 17 395 also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great ( Greek: Θεοδόσιος Α΄ Arianism is the theological teaching of Arius (c AD 250-336 who was ruled a heretic by the Christian church at the Council of Nicea. [25] The exiled Nicene party gradually returned to the city. From his deathbed, Basil reminded them of Gregory's capabilities and likely recommended his friend to champion the trinitarian cause in Constantinople. [26]

In 379, the Antioch synod and its archbishop, Meletios, asked Gregory to go to Constantinople to lead a theological campaign to win over that city to Nicene orthodoxy. [27] After much hesitation, Gregory agreed. His cousin Theodosia offered him a villa for his residence; Gregory immediately transformed much of it into a church, naming it Anastasia, "a scene for the resurrection of the faith. "[28] From this little chapel he delivered five powerful discourses on Nicene doctrine, explaining the nature of the Trinity and the unity of the Godhead. [29] Refuting the Eunomion denial of the Holy Spirit's divinity, Gregory offered this argument:

“ Look at these facts: Christ is born, the Holy Spirit is His Forerunner. Christ is baptized, the Spirit bears witness to this… Christ works miracles, the Spirit accompanies them. Christ ascends, the Spirit takes His place. What great things are there in the idea of God which are not in His power? What titles appertaining to God do not apply also to Him, except for Unbegotten and Begotten? I tremble when I think of such an abundance of titles, and how many Names they blaspheme, those who revolt against the Spirit![30] ”

Gregory's homilies were well-received and attracted ever-growing crowds to Anastasia. Fearing his popularity, his opponents decided to strike. On the vigil of Easter in 379, an Arian mob burst into his church during worship services, wounding Gregory and killing another bishop. Escaping the mob, Gregory next found himself betrayed by his erstwhile friend, the philosopher Maximus the Cynic. Maximus, also known as Maximus I or Maximus the Cynic, was the intrusive Patriarch of Constantinople in 380, where he became a rival of Maximus, who was in secret alliance with Peter, bishop of Alexandria, attempted to seize Gregory's power and have himself consecrated bishop of Constantinople. [31] Shocked, Gregory decided to resign his office, but the faction faithful to him induced him to stay and ejected Maximus. However, the episode left him embarrassed and exposed him to criticism as a provincial simpleton unable to cope with intrigues of the imperial city. [31]

Affairs in Constantinople remained confused as Gregory's position was still unofficial and Arian priests occupied many important churches. The arrival of the emperor Theodosius in 380 settled matters in Gregory's favor. The emperor, determined to eliminate Arianism, expelled Bishop Demophilus. Demophilus (died 386 was Bishop of Berea and bishop of Constantinople from 370 until expelled in 380 Gregory was subsequently enthroned as bishop of Constantinople at the Basilica of the Apostles, replacing Demophilus. [32]

Second Ecumenical Council and retirement to Arianzum

The Three Holy Hierarchs: (left to right:) Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian.
The Three Holy Hierarchs: (left to right:) Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian. The Three Holy Hierarchs ( Greek: Οι Τρείς Ιεράρχες of Eastern Christianity refers to Basil the Great (known as Basil of Caesarea Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin This article refers to the Christian saint For other uses of the name see Chrysostomos.

Theodosius wanted to further unify the entire empire behind the orthodox position and decided to convene a church council to resolve matters of faith and discipline. [32] Gregory was of similar mind, wishing to unify Christianity. In the spring of 381 they convened the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was attended by 150 Eastern bishops. The Second Ecumenical Council the first held in Constantinople was called by Theodosius I in 381 which confirmed the Nicene Creed and dealt with other matters such After the death of the presiding bishop, Meletius of Antioch, Gregory was selected to lead the Council. Saint Meletius of Antioch (Μελέτιος (died 381 was the Christian Bishop, or Patriarch of Antioch, from 360 until his death Hoping to reconcile the West with the East, he offered to recognize Paulinus as Patriarch of Antioch. The Egyptian and Macedonian bishops who had supported Maximus's consecration, arrived late for the Council. Once there, they refused to recognise Gregory's position as head of the church of Constantinople, arguing that his transfer from the See of Sasima was canonically illegitimate. [33]

Gregory was physically exhausted and worried that he was losing the confidence of the bishops and the emperor. [34] Rather than press his case and risk further division, he decided to resign his office: "Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me. . . I was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it. "[35] He shocked the Council with his surprise resignation and then delivered a dramatic speech to Theodosius asking to be released from his offices. The emperor, moved by his words, applauded, commended his labor and granted his resignation. The Council asked him to appear once more for a farewell ritual and celebratory orations. Gregory used this occasion to deliver a final address (Or. 42) and then departed. [36]

Returning to his homeland of Cappadocia, Gregory once again resumed his position as bishop of Nazianzus. He spent the next year combating the local Appolinarian heretics and struggling with periodic illness. He also began composing De Vita Sua, his autobiographical poem. [37] By the end of 383 he found his health too feeble to cope with episcopal duties. Gregory established Eulalius as bishop of Nazianzus and then withdrew into the solitude of Arianzum. After enjoying five peaceful years in retirement at his family estate, he died January 25, 389. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events By Place Roman Empire All pagan buildings in Alexandria, including the library are destroyed on the order of Theodosius

Throughout his life Gregory faced stark choices. Should he pursue studies as a rhetor or philosopher? Would a monastic life be more appropriate than public ministry? Was it better to blaze his own path or follow the course mapped for him by his father and Basil? Gregory's writings illuminate the conflicts which both tormented and motivated him. Biographers suggest that it was this dialectic which defined him, forged his character and inspired his search for meaning and truth. [38]

Legacy

Andrei Rublev, Gregory the Theologian (1408), Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir.
Andrei Rublev, Gregory the Theologian (1408), Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir. Andrei Rublev (Andrew Rublev Andrey Rublev Andrey Roublyov Russian: Андре́й Рублёв (c Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir (sometimes translated Assumption Cathedral) used to be a mother church of medieval Russia in the 13th and 14th centuries

Theology and other works

Gregory's most significant theological contributions arose from his defense of the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity. SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных He is especially noted for his contributions to the field of pneumatology—that is, theology concerning the nature of the Holy Spirit. Pneumatology is the study of spiritual beings and phenomena especially the interactions between humans and God. In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance [39] In this regard, Gregory is the first to use the idea of procession to describe the relationship between the Spirit and the Godhead: "The Holy Spirit is truly Spirit, coming forth from the Father indeed but not after the manner of the Son, for it is not by generation but by procession, since I must coin a word for the sake of clearness. "[40] Although Gregory does not fully develop the concept, the idea of procession would shape most later thought about the Holy Spirit. [41]

He emphasized that Jesus did not cease to be God when he became a man, nor did he lose any of his divine attributes when he took on human nature. Furthermore, Gregory asserted that Christ was fully human, including a full human soul. He also proclaimed the eternality of the Holy Spirit, saying that the Holy Spirit's actions were somewhat hidden in the Old Testament but much clearer since the ascension of Jesus into Heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon.

In contrast to the Neo-Arian belief that the Son is anomoios, or "unlike" the Father, and with the Semi-Arian assertion that the Son is homoiousios, or "like" the Father, Gregory and his fellow Cappadocians maintained the Nicaean doctrine of homoousia, or consubstantiality of the Son with the Father. Semi-Arianism is a name frequently given to the Trinitarian position of the conservative majority of the Eastern Christian Church in the 4th century, to distinguish Ousia () is the Ancient Greek noun formed on the feminine present participle of ( to be) it is analogous to the English participle Homoousian (from the Greek όμοιοs meaning same and ουσία meaning essence or being is a technical theological term used in discussion of the Consubstantiality is a term used in Latin Christian Christology, coined by Tertullian in Against Hermogenes 44 used to translate [42] The Cappadocian Fathers asserted that God's nature is unknowable to man; helped to develop the framework of hypostases, or three persons united in a single Godhead; illustrated how Jesus is the eikon of the Father; and explained the concept of theosis, the belief that all Christians can be assimiliated with God in "imitation of the incarnate Son as the divine model. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis "[43]

Some of Gregory's theological writings suggest that, like his friend Gregory of Nyssa, he may have supported some form of the doctrine of apocatastasis, the belief that God will bring all of creation into harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven. Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي [44] This led some late-nineteenth century Christian universalists, notably J. Universal reconciliation, also called universal salvation or sometimes simply universalism, is the Christian doctrine or belief that all will receive Salvation W. Hanson and Philip Schaff, to describe Gregory's theology as universalist. [45] This view of Gregory is also held by some modern theologians, such as John Sachs who said that Gregory had "leanings" toward apocatastasis, but in a "cautious, undogmatic" way. [46] However, it is not clear or universally accepted that Gregory held to the doctrine of apocatastasis. [47]

Apart from the several theological discourses, Gregory is also one of the most important early Christian men of letters, a very accomplished orator, perhaps one of the greatest of his time,[48] and also a very prolific poet, having written several poems with theological and moral matter and some with biographical content, about himself and about his friends.

Influence

Gregory's great nephew Nichobulos served as his literary executor, preserving and editing many of his writings. A cousin, Eulalios, published several of Gregory's more noteworthy works in 391. [49] By 400 Rufinius began translating his orations into Latin. As Gregory's works circulated throughout the empire they influenced theological thought. His orations were cited as authoritative by the Council of Ephesus in 431, and by 451 he was designated Theologus, or Theologian by the Council of Chalcedon[49]- a title held by no others save John the Apostle [50] and Symeon the New Theologian. This article covers the Ecumenical council of 431 For the council of 449 see Second Council of Ephesus. The Council of Chalcedon was the fourth Ecumenical council. It was held from 8 October to 1 November 451 at Chalcedon (a city of Saint John the Apostle ( Greek Ιωάννης, see Names of John) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Symeon the New Theologian (949&ndash1022 is the latest of three Saints of the Eastern Orthodox church to have been given the title of Theologian thus He is widely quoted by Eastern Orthodox theologians and highly regarded as a defender of the Christian faith. His contributions to Trinitarian theology are also influential and often cited in the Western churches. Trinitarian theology is a way of doing Systematic theology that understands the Trinity to be the foundational doctrine that permeates all areas of Theology [51] Paul Tillich credits Gregory of Nazianzus for having "created the definitive formulae for the doctrine of the trinity". Paul Johannes Tillich ( August 20, 1886 &ndash October 22, 1965) was a German - American theologian and Christian [52]

Relics

Following his death, Saint Gregory was buried at Nazianzus. His relics were transferred to Constantinople in 950, into the church of the Holy Apostles. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Part of the relics were taken from Constantinople by Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and ended up in Rome. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents The Fourth Crusade (1202&ndash1204 was originally designed to conquer Muslim Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 On November 27, 2004, those relics, along with those of John Chrysostom, were returned to Istanbul by Pope John Paul II, with the Vatican retaining a small portion of both. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " This article refers to the Christian saint For other uses of the name see Chrysostomos. Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey Pope Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano is a Landlocked sovereign City-state whose territory The relics are now enshrined in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in the Fanar. History Early history Christianity in Byzantium existed from the time of the Twelve Apostles, but it was in the year 330 that the Roman Emperor The Church of St George ( Greek: Καθεδρικός ναός του Αγίου Γεωργίου Kathedrikós Naós tou Agíou Geōrgíou, Turkish Fener, Fanar or Phanar ( Greek Φανάρι) is a neighborhood midway up the Golden Horn, within the borough of Fatih in [53]

Feast day

Since the reform of the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1969, Gregory Nazianzen's feast day was moved to January 2. For earlier forms of the General Roman Calendar see the Tridentine Calendar, the General Roman Calendar as in 1954, General Roman Calendar of Pope Pius Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Traditional Roman Catholics continue to celebrate Gregory on May 9, deemed a feast of the third class (see the General Roman Calendar of 1962) or a Double feast. Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics, or people who identify as Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of This article lists the feast days of the General Roman Calendar as it was in 1962 following the reforms of Pope John XXIII introduced with his Motu proprio ''Rubricarum The following is a list of the feast days of the General Roman Calendar as it was in 1954. The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate two feast days in honor of Gregory: January 25 as his primary feast and January 30, known as the feast of the Three Great Hierarchs. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain The Three Holy Hierarchs ( Greek: Οι Τρείς Ιεράρχες of Eastern Christianity refers to Basil the Great (known as Basil of Caesarea

See also

Notes

  1. ^ McGuckin, John (2001) Saint Gregory of Nazianzus: An Intellectual Biography, Crestwood, NY, p. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin See talk page for different periodization of the bishopric archbishopric and patriarchate xxi.
  2. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. xxiv.
  3. ^ Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Gregory of Nazianzus: Rhetor and Philosopher, (Oxford University Press, 1969), p. 18.
  4. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. vii
  5. ^ Ruether (1969), pp. 19, 25.
  6. ^ Hunter-Blair, D. O. The Catholic Encyclopedia, article on Gregory of Nazianzus (Robert Appleton Co, 1910), retrieved online April 2007
  7. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 99–102.
  8. ^ Ruether, (1969), p. 32. Quote is from in Migne, J. P. (ed), Patrologiae Graecae, (1857–1866), 37. 1053, Carm. de vita sua, l. 345
  9. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 102.
  10. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 107.
  11. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 115.
  12. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 121.
  13. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 125–126.
  14. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 130.
  15. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 138–142.
  16. ^ a b McGuckin (2001), p. 143.
  17. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 190–195.
  18. ^ Hunter-Blair (1910)
  19. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 187–192.
  20. ^ Gregory, as quoted in PG 37. 1059–1060, De Vita Sua, vv. 439–446
  21. ^ Ruether (1969), pp. 38–39
  22. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 199.
  23. ^ Gallay, P. Grigoie de Nazianze, (Paris: 1964), p. 61. Quoting from Ep. 48, PG 37. 97
  24. ^ Hunter-Blair, D. O. (1910)
  25. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 235.
  26. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 235–236. See also Orat. 43. 2, PG 36. 497.
  27. ^ Ruether (1969), p. 42
  28. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 241. See also 2 Kings 4:8 and Orat. 26. 17, PG 35. 1249.
  29. ^ Hunter-Blair, D. O. The Catholic Encyclopedia, article on Gregory of Nazianzus.
  30. ^ Gregory of Nazianzus, Or. 31:29. The Orthodox Church of America website, retrieved May 2, 2007
  31. ^ a b Ruether (1969), p. 43
  32. ^ a b Ruether (1969), p. 45
  33. ^ McGuckin (2001), pp. 358–359
  34. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 359
  35. ^ PG, 37. 1157–9, Carm. de vita sua, ll 1828–55
  36. ^ McGuckin (2001), p. 361
  37. ^ Ruether (1969), p. 50
  38. ^ Ruether (1969) discusses Gregory's conflicted nature. See p. 54 for her treatment of the subject.
  39. ^ For example, see Michael O'Carroll, "Gregory of Nazianzus" in Trinitas (Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, Inc, 1987).
  40. ^ Gregory of Nazianzus, Five Theological Orations, oration five. This fifth oration deals entirely with the Holy Spirit.
  41. ^ See H. E. W. Turner and Francis Young, "Procession(s)" in The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology, ed. A. Richardson & J. Bowden (Philadelphia:Westminster Press, 1983). Through Augustine, the idea would develop in the West into "double-procession," resulting in the Filioque clause and the split between Eastern and Western Christianity. Filioque, a Latin phrase meaning "and (from the Son" In Western Christianity, it was added to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
  42. ^ Børtnes (2006), pp. 9–10
  43. ^ Børtnes (2006), p. 10
  44. ^ "Apocatastasis". New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. I.
  45. ^ Hanson, J. W. Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine Of The Christian Church During Its First Five Hundred Years. Chapter XV: Gregory Nazianzen. Boston and Chicago Universalist Publishing House. 1899.
  46. ^ Sachs, John R. “Apocatastasis in Patristic Theology. ” Theological Studies. 54 (December 1993), p. 632.
  47. ^ For example, David L. Balas, "Apokatastasis" in The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, second edition, ed. Everett Ferguson (New York: Garland Publishing, 1997), which details Gregory of Nyssa's adherence to the doctrine, while making no mention of Nazianzan. Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي
  48. ^ Børtnes (2006), p. 21
  49. ^ a b McGuckin, (2001), p. xi
  50. ^ Hunter-Blair, D. O. The Catholic Encyclopedia, article on Gregory of Nazianzus
  51. ^ For an example, see how the 1992 edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites a variety of Gregory's orations
  52. ^ Tillich, Paul. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, or CCC, is an official exposition of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the twenty-two A History of Christian Thought, (Simon and Schuster, 1968), p. 76.
  53. ^ Ian Fisher, "Pope returns remains of 2 Orthodox patriarchs," San Diego Union-Tribune online, November 28, 2004. Retrieved April 26, 2007.

References

Further reading

External links

Preceded by
Demophilus or
Evagrius		 Archbishop of Constantinople
Disputed by
Maximus
379–381		 Succeeded by
Nectarius



Persondata
NAME Gregory of Nazianzus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gregory the Theologian, Gregory Nazianzen
SHORT DESCRIPTION Christian saint, bishop, and theologian
DATE OF BIRTH 329
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH January 25, 389
PLACE OF DEATH
Demophilus (died 386 was Bishop of Berea and bishop of Constantinople from 370 until expelled in 380 Evagrius (died c380 was Bishop of Constantinople for brief periods in 370 and possibly 380 See talk page for different periodization of the bishopric archbishopric and patriarchate Maximus, also known as Maximus I or Maximus the Cynic, was the intrusive Patriarch of Constantinople in 380, where he became a rival of Nectarius (died 397 or 398 was the Archbishop of Constantinople from AD 381 until his death the successor to Saint Gregory Nazianzus. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Events By Place Roman Empire All pagan buildings in Alexandria, including the library are destroyed on the order of Theodosius
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