St. Gregory Nazianzen - Father and Doctor of the Church

ST. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS

St. Gregory Nazianzen was a renowned Church Father, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, recognized for his significant contributions to Christian doctrine, especially in defending the Nicene Creed and articulating the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Born into a devout Christian family, he was a close friend of St. Basil the Great and played a pivotal role in the theological development of early Christianity. His writings continue to influence Christian theology, and his feast day is celebrated on January 2nd.

St. Gregory Nazianzen was born in 329 in the region of Cappadocia, present-day Turkey. His father, St. Gregory the Elder, was the bishop of Nazianzus, and his mother, St. Nonna, was a woman of deep faith. Gregory’s family was profoundly influential in the early Church, with both of his parents and his siblings also being saints. Gregory received an excellent education, studying in places like Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens, where he formed a lasting friendship with St. Basil the Great. Together, they pursued lives of asceticism and religious devotion, hoping to dedicate themselves to God.

At the age of 31, Gregory was ordained as a priest, reluctantly accepting the role, as he had originally intended to lead a solitary life. Nevertheless, he became an influential writer and preacher, and his work on the nature of the Trinity and the person of Christ remains a cornerstone of Christian theology. He was made bishop of Nazianzus, but his dissatisfaction with the political entanglements of the Church led him to resign and return home to assist his elderly father.

In 379, Gregory answered a call to Constantinople, where Arianism had taken root, and the orthodox Christian belief in the Nicene Creed was under threat. He was appointed patriarch of Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 380, and with his wisdom, eloquence, and dedication, he restored the Nicene Creed as the accepted doctrine of the Church. During this time, St. Jerome was one of his pupils.

Though Gregory's health was frail, and his tenure in Constantinople was brief, his theological influence was immense. He is celebrated for his writings, particularly his orations on the Holy Trinity, which earned him the title "The Theologian" in the Greek Church. He returned to Nazianzus, where he lived his final years in peace and humility, passing away in 389.

St. Gregory Nazianzen’s work continues to shape Christian thought today, and he is remembered for his unwavering defense of orthodoxy and his contribution to the development of Christian theology. His life exemplified the pursuit of wisdom, virtue, and devotion to God. His feast day is celebrated on January 2nd each year.

Feast Day

2-1-

Birth Date

20-1-329

Died Date

25-1-389

Canonised Date

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Nazianzus, Turkey

"O God, who hast crowned Thy servant Gregory with the grace of wisdom and devotion, grant us the strength to live our lives according to Thy will, imitating the example of virtue he set for all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
ST. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS

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ST. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS

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