St. Gregory of Nazianzus +390

St. Gregory of Nazianzus +390

Mor Gregorios was born in Arianzus near Cappadocia town. He is also referred to as "Gregory, the Theologian" He was baptized by his own father in AD 360. He received Christian education and training from his mother from childhood. He was ordained a priest by his father in AD 362 and started rendering help to his father. In AD 372 Gregory was consecrated the Bishop of Sasima, a small town by Mor Baselios. He disliked the lack of independence imposed by administrative responsibilities. Moreover he preferred a solitary life which reduced his interest in being elevated to the rank of a bishop. He spent a few years combating Arianism. The five speeches delivered by him in the church of Anastasia countering the heresy and defending the doctrine of the Trinity are famous. “The Father is the begetter and emitter, the Son is the begotten and the Holy Spirit is the emission. The begetting of the Son and the Procession of the Spirit are beyond time, so all three are co-eternal. While the Father may be greater than the Son in the sense that he is the cause, he is not greater by nature, for the two are of the same nature. The names, Father and the Son make known to us an intimate relation within the Godhead” He spoke thus of the preparation of priests when he was a young priest: “We must begin by purifying ourselves before purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to illuminate, draw close to God to bring Him close to others, be sanctified to sanctify, lead by the hand and counsel prudently. I know whose ministers we are, where we find ourselves and to where we strive. I know God’s greatness and man’s weakness, but also his potential. Who then is the priest? He is the defender of truth, who stands with angels, gives glory with archangels, causes sacrifices to rise to the altar on high, shares Christ’s priesthood, refashions creation, restores it in God’s image, recreates it for the world on high" Due to the strong protest of the Arian mob and to avoid dissidence he resigned his position in AD 381 and retired to his native place, Arianzus. He spent his time in prayer and fasting until he expired.