1. Gregory of NazianzusGregory of Nazianzus
aka…aka…
Gregory theGregory the
TheologianTheologian
GregoryGregory
NazianzenNazianzen
329/330 – 389/390 CE329/330 – 389/390 CE
2. Gregory of NazianzusGregory of Nazianzus
Who he was?Who he was?
Where he lived?Where he lived?
When he lived?When he lived?
What were the questions & challengesWhat were the questions & challenges
he was facing?he was facing?
How did he deal with them?How did he deal with them?
An aspect of his life & contributionAn aspect of his life & contribution
3. Gregory of NazianzusGregory of Nazianzus
Born 329 & died 389 in Arianzus, CappadociaBorn 329 & died 389 in Arianzus, Cappadocia
(Asia Minor)(Asia Minor)
Venerated in Eastern & Western ChurchVenerated in Eastern & Western Church
Feast day = Jan. 2Feast day = Jan. 2ndnd
or 25or 25thth
(day of his death)(day of his death)
““Doctor of the Church” (Western)Doctor of the Church” (Western)
““Hierarch of the Church” (Eastern)Hierarch of the Church” (Eastern)
Trinitarian theologian (Christ & the Spirit)Trinitarian theologian (Christ & the Spirit)
Rhetorical orator; ascetic; reluctant leader;Rhetorical orator; ascetic; reluctant leader;
prolific writer; saintly theologian.prolific writer; saintly theologian.
4. The Cappadocian fathersThe Cappadocian fathers
Gregory of NazianzusGregory of Nazianzus
Basil the Great (bro.)Basil the Great (bro.)
Gregory of Nyssa (bro.)Gregory of Nyssa (bro.)
The Three Holy HierarchsThe Three Holy Hierarchs
(Eastern Church)(Eastern Church)
Gregory, Basil &Gregory, Basil &
John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom
5. The Doctors of the ChurchThe Doctors of the Church
Western (Latin)Western (Latin)
Ambrose of MilanAmbrose of Milan
Augustine of HippoAugustine of Hippo
Jerome of StridoJerome of Strido
Gregory the GreatGregory the Great
(Pope Gregory I)(Pope Gregory I)
Eastern (Greek)Eastern (Greek)
Athanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of Alexandria
John Chrysostom ofJohn Chrysostom of
Antioch & ConstantinopleAntioch & Constantinople
Basil the GreatBasil the Great
Gregory of NazianzusGregory of Nazianzus
7. Acts 2:6-11Acts 2:6-11
When they heard this sound, a crowd cameWhen they heard this sound, a crowd came
together in bewilderment, because each onetogether in bewilderment, because each one
heard their own language being spoken. Utterlyheard their own language being spoken. Utterly
amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who areamazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are
speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each ofspeaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of
us hears them in our native language?us hears them in our native language?
Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents ofParthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea andMesopotamia, Judea and CappadociaCappadocia,,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;
visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts tovisitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to
Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—wewe hear themhear them
declaring the wonders of God in our owndeclaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!tongues! ""
8. 1 Peter 1:1-21 Peter 1:1-2
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout theTo God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the
provinces of Pontus, Galatia,provinces of Pontus, Galatia, CappadociaCappadocia,,
Asia and Bithynia - who have been chosenAsia and Bithynia - who have been chosen
according to the foreknowledge ofaccording to the foreknowledge of God theGod the
FatherFather, through the sanctifying work of the, through the sanctifying work of the
SpiritSpirit, for obedience to, for obedience to Jesus ChristJesus Christ andand
sprinkling with his blood -sprinkling with his blood -
Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
11. Background influences (on his life)Background influences (on his life)
Conversion of Constantine 312Conversion of Constantine 312
Council of Nicaea 325 (to decide over theCouncil of Nicaea 325 (to decide over the
true nature of Christ: Athanasius vs Arius)true nature of Christ: Athanasius vs Arius)
Ongoing theological Trinitarian tensionsOngoing theological Trinitarian tensions
Decline of Roman Empire (apostateDecline of Roman Empire (apostate
emperor)emperor)
Conversion of Goths to ArianismConversion of Goths to Arianism
Godly mother (Nonna) & converted fatherGodly mother (Nonna) & converted father
(Gregory), Bishop of Nazianzus – formerly(Gregory), Bishop of Nazianzus – formerly
wealthy landowners.wealthy landowners.
12. Outline of his lifeOutline of his life
His education (Caesarea Cappadocia, CaesareaHis education (Caesarea Cappadocia, Caesarea
Maritima, Alexandria & Athens –Maritima, Alexandria & Athens – till age 30till age 30))
His ordination & ministryHis ordination & ministry
Monastic/ascetic life (356, edits works of Origen)Monastic/ascetic life (356, edits works of Origen)
Nazianzus (Christmas, 361 – as a presbyter)Nazianzus (Christmas, 361 – as a presbyter)
Sasima (appt. by Basil)Sasima (appt. by Basil)
Constantinople (Bishop, 379)Constantinople (Bishop, 379)
Council of Constantinople (381)Council of Constantinople (381)
Nazianzus (returns till 383, declining health)Nazianzus (returns till 383, declining health)
Arianzus (retires, writes & d. 389/390)Arianzus (retires, writes & d. 389/390)
13. Monastic and Ascetic lifeMonastic and Ascetic life
11stst
fleeing (358-359)fleeing (358-359)
a. Personal strugglea. Personal struggle
PhysicallyPhysically
PersonalityPersonality
ProfessionallyProfessionally
14. Monastic and Ascetic lifeMonastic and Ascetic life
11stst
fleeing (358-359)fleeing (358-359)
b. Pressure from Basilb. Pressure from Basil
15. Monastic and Ascetic lifeMonastic and Ascetic life
11stst
fleeing (358-359)fleeing (358-359)
c. Producedc. Produced
Philokalio OrigenisPhilokalio Origenis
““In Defense of his Flight.In Defense of his Flight.””
Orations 1-3Orations 1-3
Oration 15 & InvectiveOration 15 & Invective AgainstAgainst JulianJulian
16. Monastic and Ascetic lifeMonastic and Ascetic life
22ndnd
fleeing (362)fleeing (362)
Appointment as bishop of SasimaAppointment as bishop of Sasima
Returns as result of father’s pressureReturns as result of father’s pressure
Parents dieParents die
Assumes Father’s pastoral dutiesAssumes Father’s pastoral duties
17. Monastic and Ascetic lifeMonastic and Ascetic life
33rdrd
fleeing (375-379)fleeing (375-379)
Women’s convent on the south coast ofWomen’s convent on the south coast of
Cappadocia, SeleuciaCappadocia, Seleucia
Happy time for GregoryHappy time for Gregory
Returns to Church lifeReturns to Church life
ByzantiumByzantium
ConstantinopleConstantinople
18. His orationsHis orations
45 orations (“spoken reason”)45 orations (“spoken reason”)
Formal speech, pleading a cause, before aFormal speech, pleading a cause, before a
court/ assembly on a ceremonial occasioncourt/ assembly on a ceremonial occasion
Eulogies for his father (Gregory) & friend (Basil)Eulogies for his father (Gregory) & friend (Basil)
Apologetics on nature of the priesthoodApologetics on nature of the priesthood
Attack on (Emperor) Julian the ApostateAttack on (Emperor) Julian the Apostate
In praise of Athanasius the Great (d. 373)In praise of Athanasius the Great (d. 373)
Five Theological Orations vs. Eunomian AriansFive Theological Orations vs. Eunomian Arians
& Macedonians (#’s 27-31)& Macedonians (#’s 27-31)
19. Five Theological OrationsFive Theological Orations
1.1. Necessity of a pure mind & life free of sin –Necessity of a pure mind & life free of sin –
in order to study, rightly contemplate Godin order to study, rightly contemplate God
2.2. Unknowability of God. May not knowUnknowability of God. May not know whatwhat
God is, but creation declaresGod is, but creation declares thatthat God isGod is
3.3. Defence of the trinity & unity of GodDefence of the trinity & unity of God
Eternal existence of Son & Spirit,Eternal existence of Son & Spirit,
proceeding from the Fatherproceeding from the Father
4.4. Union of Godhead & Manhood in ChristUnion of Godhead & Manhood in Christ
5.5. Divinity of person of the Holy SpiritDivinity of person of the Holy Spirit
20. His writingsHis writings
245 letters/ epistles245 letters/ epistles
400 poems (“30,000 verses” - Jerome)400 poems (“30,000 verses” - Jerome)
Autobiographical poem: “On his life” (2000 lines)Autobiographical poem: “On his life” (2000 lines)
““The poet of Eastern Christendom”The poet of Eastern Christendom”
In naming Gregory of Nazianzus “the Theologian”,In naming Gregory of Nazianzus “the Theologian”,
a title only given to two other men (John the 1a title only given to two other men (John the 1stst
C. Evangelist & Symeon the 10C. Evangelist & Symeon the 10thth
C. Theologian),C. Theologian),
the Church was saying that poetry expresses thethe Church was saying that poetry expresses the
mystery of who God is and how God works bettermystery of who God is and how God works better
than any linear reasoning!than any linear reasoning!
21. Insights on Christian leadershipInsights on Christian leadership
Duties of the clergyDuties of the clergy
(Ambrose)(Ambrose)
Called to teachCalled to teach
Learn to interpretLearn to interpret
Learn in silenceLearn in silence
Learn in humilityLearn in humility
……Flight from PontusFlight from Pontus
(Gregory(Gregory
Nazianzen)Nazianzen)
22. His last yearsHis last years
382-383382-383 Returns to NazianzusReturns to Nazianzus
Pastoral dutiesPastoral duties
Encourages church to find a new bishopEncourages church to find a new bishop
383383 Retirement for treatmentRetirement for treatment
384384 Eulasios succeeds himEulasios succeeds him
384384 Final retirement to ArianzusFinal retirement to Arianzus
24. Lasting contributionLasting contribution
In his development of terminology,In his development of terminology,
Gregory helped toGregory helped to clarify theclarify the
languagelanguage of Nicaea andof Nicaea and lay thelay the
foundationfoundation for the debates of the 5for the debates of the 5thth
Century ecumenical councils.Century ecumenical councils.