Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
Member of the "Three Cappadocians" and Great Theologian
Sep 21, 2009 Jennifer Landsberger
Gregory Nazianzus was born into a wealthy family of Christians. His education was extensive, but his calling to a religious vocation came later in his life. He was a prolific writer who attempted to avoid a high position in the Catholic Church. His writings had a lasting influence on the Church and other great Church leaders, among them St. Jerome.
Birth and Family Circumstances of St. Gregory
Gregory was born in 325 a.d. in Arianzus, Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). His father was St. Gregory of Naziansuz the Elder, a convert from a heretical sect. His mother, St. Nonna, was the daughter of Christian parents.
Saint Gregory was one of three children; his sister was St. Gorgonia and his brother Caesarius. His family was wealthy and provided for an exceptional education for all three children.
Education of St. Gregory
Gregory was sent to school in Caesarea in Cappadocia. Caesarea was known as a center of learning at the time, and he was taught by Carterius. Later, Carterius went on to tutor to St. John Chrysostom. It was at school that he met St. Basil the Great and his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa. They were the other two of the "Three Cappadocians." These three men were vital in fighting heresy in the fourth century and defining what became some of the most important beliefs of the Church, among them the Trinity.
After being taught by Carterius in Caesarea, Saint Gregory went to Palestine, where he furthered his education under the guidance of Thespesius. His education in Palestine was focused on rhetoric. Gregory then traveled to Alexandria. At that time the bishop, St. Athanasius, was in exile. Gregory at last traveled to Athens. He once again became close friends with St. Basil. Both Basil and Gregory studied under Himerius and Proaeresius, two famous teachers of the time. Gregory's education in Athens encompassed a period of ten years.
St. Gregory's Call to Holiness and Service to the Church
After finishing his education, he had reached the age of 30. He traveled back to his home in Arianzus, stopping at Constantinople on the way. Gregory was unsure of whether to practice law and rhetoric or pursue a career in the Church. He left behind extensive writings on this subject alone, coming to the conclusion that he wished to "quit the world for the service of God alone" (Hunter-Blair). He then traveled to the small monastery that Basil had started. (see: St. Basil the Great) Gregory spent between two and three years at the monastery and is believed to have helped Basil help compile his rule for monastic life, which had lasting influence in the Eastern Church.
Positions in the Church Held by St. Gregory
Gregory resisted any position in the church, and he was only ordained a priest at his father's continued pressure, as his father was a bishop, despite his continued flirtation with heresy. His friend Basil was embroiled in controversy with the Emperor and formed a new see. Basil pressured Gregory into accepting a post as the first Bishop of the new see. Gregory accepted the position, but it formed a lifelong rift between Basil and Gregory. He soon quit the job and returned home to help his father.
After the death of his parents, Gregory retreated to a monastery. When a new emperor was named in the Eastern empire, Gregory was called to Constantinople to fight heresy. He established a chapel house and gave some of his most famous discourses at this point in his life. He gave a series of five talks that explained and confirmed some of the most basic beliefs in Christianity. His eloquence and learning earned him the title of Theologus.The only other teacher ever given this title was the apostle St. John. Gregory was again pressured into serving as a bishop, this time by the new emperor, Theodosius. Poor health gave Gregory an excuse to resign from the position after a short time.
Death and Sainthood
After resigning as Bishop, Gregory returned home to a small plot of land he had retained. He had given the rest to the poor shortly after his parents died.
During his final years, Gregory produced extensive works, some of which became his most famous. He composed epistles, sermons, and orations, along with poetry. His date of death is not known, but it's believed to have occurred in either 389 and 390. He was canonized and his feast day falls on January 2.
St. Gregory's Lasting Influence on the Church
St. Gregory used his exceptional education along with the abilities he was born with to become one of the greatest theologians in the Church's history. His writings alone would have guaranteed a lasting place in the Church's archives. However, his teaching of St. Jerome and his talks at Constantinople increased his fame. In honor of his achievements, he is also a Father of the Church and a Doctor of the Church. He is also known as Gregory the Theologian and Gregory the Divine, both titles reflecting the Church's lasting respect for him.
Sources:
- Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Saints. Visionary Living, Inc. Checkmark Books, New York, NY. ISBN 0816041342.
- Hunter-Blair, D.O. (1914) Gregory of Nazianzus, Saint. The Catholic Encyclopedia. San Diego, Catholic Answers, 2007.
- St. Gregory. (1975). Liturgy of the Hours, the. Volume 1. Catholic Book Publishing Corp. New York, NY.
A Saint Prays for Guidance
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