Who was Gregory of Nazianzus?
Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, was one of the most influential theologians and saints in the early church. He lived in the 4th century AD and served for a short time as Patriarch of Constantinople. Gregory made significant contributions to Trinitarian theology and is honored as one of the Cappadocian Fathers along with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa.
Early Life and Education
Gregory was born around 329 AD in the village of Arianzus near Nazianzus in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). His parents were Gregory and Nonna, both devout Christians. His father was later ordained as Bishop of Nazianzus. Gregory initially pursued a career in rhetoric and philosophy and studied in Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens. However, he later decided to devote his life to God and was baptized around 361 AD at the age of 32.
After his baptism, Gregory lived as an ascetic for a few years. In 362 AD, his father persuaded him to assist with the administration of the Diocese of Nazianzus. He was ordained a presbyter by his father, who wanted him to be his successor. However, Gregory resisted this desire and preferred the contemplative life.
Contributions to Trinitarian Theology
Gregory made his most significant contributions to the doctrine of the Trinity. At that time, there was confusion about how to understand the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some challenged Christ’s divinity and taught that He was subordinate to the Father. Gregory defended orthodox Trinitarian belief through his writings and orations.
Gregory explained that while the three persons of the Trinity are distinct, they are unified in will and being. He used analogies like a unity of three suns shining from one source of light. Gregory also emphasized that each person of the Trinity exists eternally. The Son was not created by the Father. The Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father and rests in the Son.
Gregory was one of the first to use the formula “three persons in one God” to describe the Trinity. He did not invent Trinitarian language but helped shape it for future theologians. Gregory’s teachings on the Trinity were influential at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Other Theological Contributions
In addition to Trinitarian theology, Gregory addressed other doctrinal issues in his writings:
– Christology – He taught that Christ has two natures – fully divine and fully human. However, the divine nature is not mixed or confused with the human nature.
– Anthropology – Gregory emphasized that humanity’s purpose is to become like God through deification, which occurs by God’s grace. Sin impedes this process but does not irrevocably corrupt human nature.
– Resurrection – He argued for a spiritual, non-physical resurrection body, in contrast to other theologians like Methodius who taught bodily resurrection.
– Epistemology – Gregory developed a theory of knowledge where God enlightens the mind to transcend human reason and make spiritual truths intelligible.
Pastoral and Ecclesiastical Work
Although Gregory preferred contemplation and resisted official clerical duties early on, he eventually took on important pastoral and ecclesiastical responsibilities:
– He assisted his aging father with church administration in Nazianzus and delivered sermons and orations, some of which still exist today.
– In 379 AD, Gregory was ordained Bishop of Sasima against his wishes. He never took up residence there.
– He was invited to Constantinople in 379 AD to preach in one of the city’s churches. He delivered five influential theological orations defending orthodox Trinitarian doctrine.
– In 380 AD, Gregory was installed as Patriarch of Constantinople after overseeing administration of the church there. But he resigned the following year and returned to Nazianzus.
– Back in Nazianzus, he continued writing theology and administering the diocese. Gregory died there around 390 AD. His relics were first moved to Constantinople, then later to Rome.
Writings and Orations
Gregory left behind an extensive body of writings that shaped Christian doctrine and piety for centuries:
– Theological Orations – Five influential orations delivered in Constantinople on Trinitarian theology and other doctrines. They are considered among his most important works.
– Poemata or Carmina – An anthology of about 17,000 lines of verse on theological themes and autobiographical poems narrating events in Gregory’s life.
– Letters – 243 letters address theological, political, and biographical topics. They provide insight into his life and historical context.
– Orations – Two orations praising Athanasius and Basil the Great. Others delivered while Bishop of Nazianzus.
– Treatises – De Vita Sua (“On His Own Life”) describes key events in his life. De Virginitate advocates for the ascetic life.
Gregory’s works were influential well beyond his lifetime. Many, like the Theological Orations, are still studied today. He did not have an organized system of theology like later scholastic theologians, but his teachings and arguments shaped Christian orthodoxy in significant ways.
Veneration and Influence
Gregory was highly respected during his life as a theologian and sainted bishop. After his death, he continued to be venerated in both the Eastern and Western church. Some of his honors include:
– The Cappadocian Fathers (Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa) are highly regarded in Eastern Orthodoxy. Gregory is given the title “The Theologian.”
– In the Roman Catholic church, he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1295 by Pope Boniface VIII. His feast day is January 2 in both East and West.
– Numerous religious sites and artifacts are dedicated to Gregory, including the Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Greece.
– He greatly influenced the Emperor Julian and future church leaders like Jerome and Rufinus. John of Damascus, Photius, and Symeon the New Theologian drew from his writings.
– The Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD explicitly drew from Gregory’s Theological Orations to confirm Christ’s divinity.
Gregory of Nazianzus left an enduring mark on Christian theology and church doctrine through his defense of orthodox Trinitarian belief. His teachings on the Trinity and other doctrines helped shape discussion for centuries. As one of the Cappadocian Fathers, Gregory guided the church towards a more robust understanding of God as three persons united in one divine being.