Gregory of Nazianzus
c. 329 – 390 · Bishop of Constantinople
Also known as Gregory the Theologian
Feast: 2 January (Catholic) · 25 January (Orthodox)
Cappadocian Father, briefly Archbishop of Constantinople (380-381) and presider over the First Council of Constantinople. Known as 'the Theologian' for his Five Theological Orations.
Eastern Orthodoxy gives only three theologians the title 'the Theologian' — John the Evangelist, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Symeon the New Theologian. Nazianzus earned it with five sermons preached in Constantinople in 380 that nailed down what 'three persons, one God' actually means. He didn't want the job (he kept trying to retire to a contemplative life) but when the Trinitarian crisis demanded clarity, he produced it. After him, Trinitarian orthodoxy is settled.
Notable works
- ·Five Theological Orations · 380
- ·Orations · 380
- ·Autobiographical Poem (De Vita Sua) · 382
- ·Letters · 380
Primary sources
- ·Gregory of Nazianzus, Orationes 27-31 (Theological Orations)
- ·Gregory of Nazianzus, De Vita Sua
- ·Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 117
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