Saint Gregory of Nazianzus

Life story

Gregory was born around 329 at Arianzus, near Nazianzus in Cappadocia, in present-day Turkey. His father, also named Gregory, was bishop of Nazianzus. He studied at Caesarea, Alexandria and Athens, where he formed a close friendship with Basil. After he returned home, his father ordained him a priest around 361, against his wishes, since he longed for a contemplative life.

Basil, as bishop of Caesarea, later named him bishop of Sasima, a remote place he never truly governed. Around 379 he was invited to Constantinople to care for a small community of Nicene believers. There he delivered the Five Theological Orations on the Trinity, defending the divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. From these he came to be called the Theologian.

In 381 he presided for a time over the Council of Constantinople, but amid internal disputes he resigned and left the capital. He returned to Cappadocia, looked after the diocese of Nazianzus for a while and then withdrew into seclusion. In his last years he wrote many poems and letters, including autobiographical verse. He died around 390. The Western Church has listed him among the Doctors of the Church since 1568, and keeps his feast with Basil on 2 January. His orations were studied and copied for centuries in the Greek-speaking world, and his poetry is among the most extensive left by any early Christian author. Eastern churches honour him as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs.

Works and witness

• Studied at Caesarea, Alexandria and Athens, and befriended Basil
• Ordained a priest around 361 by his father, the bishop of Nazianzus
• Preached the Five Theological Orations on the Trinity in Constantinople
• Presided for a time over the Council of Constantinople in 381, then resigned
• Left many sermons, poems and letters; named a Doctor in the West in 1568

Saints from the same country

Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint George, Saint Nicholas

References

• Gregory of Nazianzus, Orationes (Five Theological Orations)
• Gregory of Nazianzus, De vita sua
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.