St.Gregory of Nazianzus was born in 330 and died in 390 (Aquilina, p 173). His father, also Gregory, was originally a member of Hypsistiani religion, and was converted to Christianity by his wife Nonna. Together they had three children, including St. Gregory. Gregory’s father was ordained after the birth of the children, and became bishop of Nazianzus. St. Gregory was well educated; as a child he learned rhetoric in a school in Caesarea of Pontus. During his this time St. Gregory befriended Basil the Great and his brother Gregory; in the future they would collectively become known as the Cappadocian Fathers. St Gregory and Basil took separate paths in their education but would eventually reunite in Athens. While St. Gregory was on his scholarly
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Gregory’s life he witnessed the Catholic Church and tradition under attack by Arianism. Arianism rejected the divinity of Jesus Christ. Many of St. Gregory’s work defend Christ’s divinity and introduce the Holy Trinity; rather he describes the relationship within the Holy Trinity as procession. "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." (St. Gregory Nazianzus) He famously defended the doctrine of the Trinity; setting the foundation for further development regarding the Holy Spirit. St. Gregory recognized his theology concerning the Holy Spirit was not complete, but he provided the framework for others to …show more content…
Gregory wrote letters, or epistles, both personally and professionally. He clarified his actions after his forceful ordination and subsequent escape with a letter. St. Gregory wrote many letters to bishops, public figures, government officials and congregations to convey his teachings. Writing was his preferred medium, and he certainly mastered his art form. The epistle he wrote explaining to his congregation why he fled Nazianzus is precise and transparent; in that he describes his feelings and transgressions openly in hope of understanding and forgiveness.
St Gregory also wrote poems to express himself and his dedication to Christ. It has been said that St. Gregory wrote more than 30,000 verses; many of which were lost. Many of his poetic works were written in his later years, thus indicating writing as a true source of enjoyment and comfort. He also chose poetry as a way to convey his autobiographical information, which shows his deeply personal affliction with poetry.
St. Gregory is indisputably one of the greatest theologians that ever lived. His brilliance and discipline helped defeat Arianism and revive Catholicism. St. Gregory has inequivocabile knowledge in theology and writing. He helped develop Catholicism into what we know today. St. Gregory knew he may have been limited by his time, but still sought to advance our knowledge and understanding of
Gregory’s life he witnessed the Catholic Church and tradition under attack by Arianism. Arianism rejected the divinity of Jesus Christ. Many of St. Gregory’s work defend Christ’s divinity and introduce the Holy Trinity; rather he describes the relationship within the Holy Trinity as procession. "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." (St. Gregory Nazianzus) He famously defended the doctrine of the Trinity; setting the foundation for further development regarding the Holy Spirit. St. Gregory recognized his theology concerning the Holy Spirit was not complete, but he provided the framework for others to …show more content…
Gregory wrote letters, or epistles, both personally and professionally. He clarified his actions after his forceful ordination and subsequent escape with a letter. St. Gregory wrote many letters to bishops, public figures, government officials and congregations to convey his teachings. Writing was his preferred medium, and he certainly mastered his art form. The epistle he wrote explaining to his congregation why he fled Nazianzus is precise and transparent; in that he describes his feelings and transgressions openly in hope of understanding and forgiveness.
St Gregory also wrote poems to express himself and his dedication to Christ. It has been said that St. Gregory wrote more than 30,000 verses; many of which were lost. Many of his poetic works were written in his later years, thus indicating writing as a true source of enjoyment and comfort. He also chose poetry as a way to convey his autobiographical information, which shows his deeply personal affliction with poetry.
St. Gregory is indisputably one of the greatest theologians that ever lived. His brilliance and discipline helped defeat Arianism and revive Catholicism. St. Gregory has inequivocabile knowledge in theology and writing. He helped develop Catholicism into what we know today. St. Gregory knew he may have been limited by his time, but still sought to advance our knowledge and understanding of