Gregory Nazianzus

Saint Gregory Nazianzus (AD 329 - January 25, 389), also known as Saint GregoryTheologian, was4th century Christian bishopConstantinople. He wassonGregoryNonna. Hehonored assaint byRoman Catholic ChurchasDoctor ofChurch. Healsohighly-regarded saintEastern Orthodoxy.

Tablecontents

1 Education 2 Service 3 Theology 4 Death

Education

He first studied at homehis uncle Saint Amphylokhios. Later he studiedNazianzos (where his father Gregory was bishop), Caesarea Cappadocia, Alexandria,Athens. While at Athens, he developedclose friendshipSaint BasilCaesarea,also madeacquaintanceJulian,future Emperor who would become known as JulianApostate. Upon finishing his education, he also taught rhetoricAthens forshort time.

Service

In 361, Gregory returnedNazianzoswas ordainedpresbyter (elder or priest). He spent some time inwildernessBasil practicing asceticism, but later returnedcare forChristian parishesNazianzos. Basil later made him BishopSasima. In 378,Antioch Council asked GregorycomeConstantinople as bishop, aspreceding bishop had recently died. WithconsentBasil, he agreed. Attime, there were many AriansApollinarians incity, bothwhich heresies were soonbe denounced381 atsecond Ecumenical Council. But379,night before Easter,mobarmed heretics burst into Gregory's church during worship services, wounding Gregorykilling another bishop.

Theology

In his theology, Gregory advocateddoctrine ofTrinity, includingfull divinityboth Jesus Christ andHoly Spirit. He emphasized that Jesus did not ceasebe God when he becameman, nor did he lose anyhis divine attributes when he took on human nature. He also proclaimedeternality ofHoly Spirit, saying thatHoly Spirit's actions were somewhat hidden inOld Testament but much clearer sinceascensionJesus into Heaven anddescent ofHoly Spirit atfeastPentecost. Gregory Nazianzusgiventitle 'GregoryTheologian' by Eastern Orthodoxy,title he sharesJohnApostle, also known as JohnTheologian. Hewidely quoted by Eastern Orthodox theologianshighly regarded asdefender ofChristian faith.

Death

Following his death, Saint Gregory's body was buried at Nazianzos. His relics were transferredConstantinople950, intochurch ofHoly Apostles. Part ofrelics were transferredRome atlater date.

ListConstantinople patriarchs
Preceded by: Demophilus or Evagrius	disputed by: MaximusCynic	Succeeded by: Nectarius