January 2

St. Gregory Nazianzus

When they lived: St. Gregory Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, was born around 329 AD and passed away on January 25, 390 AD. He lived during the latter part of the 4th century.

Where they lived: Gregory Nazianzus was born in Arianzus, a small village near Nazianzus (modern-day Nenizi in Turkey). He spent significant parts of his life in various cities of the Eastern Roman Empire, including Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

Notable world events during the time of their life:

Council of Nicaea (325 AD): The first ecumenical council that aimed to address various theological disputes, resulting in the Nicene Creed, which clarified the orthodox Christian beliefs about the nature of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Emperor Constantine’s Conversion (312 AD): Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity and his Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which granted religious tolerance to Christians in the Roman Empire, significantly impacting the growth of Christianity.
Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD): Although after Gregory’s death, this event marked a significant turning point in the history of the Roman Empire, leading to the ultimate decline of the Western Roman Empire.
Pagan Philosophical Revival: During Gregory’s time, there was a resurgence of interest in pagan philosophy, particularly Neoplatonism, which influenced intellectual discourse and challenged early Christian thinkers.

Their patronage: St. Gregory Nazianzus is renowned as one of the Cappadocian Fathers, along with St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. He is a patron saint of theologians, preachers, and those seeking understanding of the deep theological aspects of the Christian faith. His profound contributions to the development of Trinitarian theology and his eloquent writings on faith and ethics continue to inspire scholars, clergy, and seekers of spiritual wisdom.

St. Gregory Nazianzus’ life journey, spanning a time of theological debates, the spread of Christianity, and the blending of diverse philosophical ideas, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the early Christian Church amidst the complexities of the late Roman Empire. His dedication to faith, reason, and the pursuit of divine truths makes him a compelling figure in the history of Christian thought.

Early Life

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus is also called Gregory Nazianzen or Gregory the Theologian in some parts of history.

He was born in the year 328 A.D. in Arianzus, Cappadocia. His place of birth has been traced to a family estate in Karbala, on the outskirts of Arianzus.

His parents were Greek people named Nonna and Gregory. They were wealthy Christians who raised Gregory in the way of the Catholics.

However, It had not always been so. Gregory Senior had not always been a Christian. Nonna had converted her husband from Hypsistarii to Christianity. Hypsistarians were people in a sect that combined pagan views with Judaism.

After Gregory Senior became a Christian in 325 A.D., he was appointed bishop of Nazianzus around 329. After Saint Gregory was born, he was raised in Christian ways and sent to the best schools that his father could afford.

Gregory and his brother Caesarius received their initial education at home from their uncle Amphylokhios. After this, Saint Gregory continued to study advanced rhetoric and philosophy in cities like Nazianzus, Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens.

In all these cities, he studied extensively.

While traveling to Athens by sea, Saint Gregory’s ship was hit by a storm. Afraid, Gregory went to his knees and prayed to God for safety. He promised that he would dedicate the rest of his life to him if he survived that ordeal.

Dedication and Devotion

He arrived in Athens safely. While there, he became friends with a fellow student and Saint, Saint Basil of Caesarea. He also met Flavius Claudius Julianus, who would go on to become Emperor Julian.

In Athens, Saint Gregory took an interest not only in theology but also in writings that concerned rhetoricians like Himerius and Proaeresius.

It is also debated whether Saint Gregory might have been baptized in Athens.

Saint Gregory traveled back to Nazianzus circa 361. Back in Nazianzus, he was appointed a minister upon his father’s wish. It is said that Saint Gregory was skeptical, but in a bid to assist his father, who was bishop, and the people, he agreed.

Saint Gregory was said to have traveled to Annesi for the preparation of this new authority. There, he learned about asceticism and spent his time praying and meditating.

The next year, Saint Gregory returned to take up the seat. While in power, he was put in the middle of a clash between local Christian communities. His father had been accused of heresy.

Saint Gregory was instrumental in settling the theological differences. It was at this time that Gregory’s acquaintance, Emperor Julius, had proclaimed war on Christianity.

This caused Gregory to pen letters that he called Invectives Against Julian between the years 362 and 363. Seeing his rebel, Emperor Julian began to actively seek to persecute Gregory.

Before he could act on his threats, the Emperor passed away.

In the years to come, Saint Gregory invested his time and energy in not only preaching the gospel but also fighting the Arian heresy.

In 370, Saint Gregory was appointed Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Two years later, he was made Bishop of Sasima by Saint Basil.

Some parts of history claim that Saint Gregory accepted this bishopric once again due to the insistence of his father. Due to this behavior, Saint Gregory might have been uninterested in his diocese.

Towards the end of 372, Saint Gregory got his wish and traveled back down to Nazianzus to help his father with his diocese. After his father died, he donated his property to the needy.

Legacy

Around 379, Saint Gregory was sent to Constantinople to start a campaign to make the Nicene theory popular. There, his cousin Theodosia provides him with a residence.

The residence was made into a church named Anastasia. From this little space, Saint Gregory touched a lot of lives and converted many.

Anastasia grew in size and popularity. This caused Saint Gregory’s enemies to get agitated. On the Easter vigil of the year 379 A.D., the Arians attacked the church. This was a plan helped by Gregory’s close alliance with Maximus the Cynic.

The attack left Saint Gregory injured and some ministers killed. Afraid, Gregory fled his seat, which was then taken over by Maximus.

Bewildered by the betrayal, Saint Gregory resigned office. This led to a chain of events that left Gregory criticized and Maximus impeached.

Around 380, Saint Gregory was once again made Bishop.

Not only was he a devout Christian, but Saint Gregory also made huge contributions to theology through his books. His books, letters, epitaphs, and poems are all recognized as big parts of theology.

Death and Canonization

Although his life was marred by challenges and tough decisions, Saint Gregory was a highly respected man. He was instrumental in the fight for religion and the health of the Catholic Church.

Saint Gregory retired to Arianzus for six years. He spent his time in solitude, writing about his spiritual journey and the sickness that awaited him.

While the exact date of his death is unknown, it is guessed that Saint Gregory died on the 25th of January, 390 A.D.

He is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church on January 2.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Gregory Nazianzus

Did you know that Saint Gregory is remembered as the “Trinitarian Theologian”?
Did you know that Saint Gregory was initially bullied into being registered by his Father? He was forced to become a minister to take up solitude.
Did you know that Saint Gregory refused to be called a bishop while serving his dying father in Nazianzus?
Did you know that after Saint Basil died, Saint Gregory wrote a series of condolence letters in his memory? The letters survived until today.
Did you know that Saint Gregory not only supported the Nicene Creed but also cataphatic theology and Pneumatology?

Prayer to St. Gregory Nazianzus

O All-Transcendent God (and what other name could describe you? ), what words can hymn Your praises? No word does You justice. What mind can probe Your secret? No mind can encompass You. You are alone beyond the power of speech, yet all that we say stems from You. You are alone beyond the power of thought, yet all that we can conceive springs from You. All things proclaim you—those endowed with reason and those bereft of it. All the expectations and pain of the world coalesce in You. All things utter a prayer to You—a silent hymn composed by You. You sustain everything that exists, and all things move together according to Your orders. You are the goal of all that exists. You are one and You are all, yet You are none of the things that exist, neither a part nor the whole. You can avail Yourself of any name; how shall I call you the only unnameable? All-transcendent God!

Source: https://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p03975.htm