Gregory of Nazianzus, in his fifth Theological Oration, reinforces Basil’s conclusion. Gregory of Nazianzus (3301 – January 25 389 or 3901) (also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen) was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. Gregory of Nazianzus and Why Knowing the Nature of the Holy Spirit Really Matters Gregory of Nazianzus played a vital role in exploring the nature of the Spirit . So you might be He saw his poetry as helpful both to himself and to others who might be having similar experiences. Gregory of Nazianus on the Spirit. He is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Mind of Christ, the Spirit of The Lord, and Himself The Lord, the Spirit of Adoption, of Truth, of Liberty; the Spirit of Wisdom, of Understanding, of Counsel, of Might, of Knowledge, of Godliness, of the Fear of God. Holy Water is often sprinkled on items or people when they are blessed outside of the Church building, as part of the prayers of blessing. The Orthodox name him “The Theologian” 1 – a title they accord only one other, St John the Apostle and Evangelist an– d honour him with two feast-days, January 25th and January 30th. They proceed side by side, but in opposite directions: one moves from complexity to simplicity (vis-a-vis the worship of God), while the other moves from simplicity to complexity (vis-a-vis the knowledge of God). "In Your Light We Shall See Light": Virtuous Reading and a Theology of InterpretatIon In Gregory of Nazianzus’s Oration 31, The Internal Coherence of Cyril of Alexandria's Pneumatology: Interpreting the Seventh Dialogue of the Dialogues on the Trinity, 'What then, is the Spirit God? He also would have much preferred to live in solitude and contemplation of God. In 378, Valens died and Theodosius I, a promoter of the decisions of the Council of Nicaea, took his place. Summary Gregory of Nazianzus, a 4th-century bishop of Constantinople, receives relatively little attention from modern Western scholars, yet he is one of the most influential theologians in the history of Christian doctrine. Gregory is drawing upon Origen’s Spirit-Letter dichotomy (166). In my journey through reading Christian classics, I recently read Basil of Caesarea's On the Holy Spirit. He and Basil of Caesarea, along with Basil's brother, Gregory of Nyssa, are known as the "Cappadocian Fathers." St. Gregory of Nazianzus, (born c. 330, Arianzus, near Nazianzus, in Cappadocia, Asia Minor [now in Turkey]—died c. 389, Arianzus; Eastern feast day January 25 and 30; Western feast day January 2), 4th-century Church Father whose defense of the doctrine of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) made him one of the greatest champions of orthodoxy against Arianism. In 372, Basil was elected bishop of the large province of Caesarea, an appointment which displeased the Roman emperor Valens. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Nativity of Christ. When I contemplate the Three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the Undivided Light,”[5] he eloquently said. On the vigil of Easter in 379, a group composed mostly of monks and women rushed into a church, attacked the congregants, wounded the preacher, and killed another bishop. He is especially noted for his contributions to the field of pneumatology—that is, theology concerning the nature of the Holy Spirit. Gregory of Nazianzus. Share 1. J. What great things are there in the idea of God which are not in His power?”[6]. Gregory of Nazianzus and Why Knowing the Nature of the Holy Spirit Really Matters. Much of Gregory’s poetry was autobiographical. 28:19). By that time, delaying the sacrament had become common practice. Basil during his studies in Alexandria where they were students. His mother, Nonna, taught him the Scriptures and made certain that he received an extensive education. Eventually, Maximus was expelled and Theodosius gave the title to Gregory. Of these, Gregory of Nazianzus played a vital role in exploring the nature of the Spirit and in reaching a greater understanding of Christ’s nature and relationship with both the Father and the Spirit. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, (born c. 330, Arianzus, near Nazianzus, in Cappadocia, Asia Minor [now in Turkey]—died c. 389, Arianzus; Eastern feast day January 25 and 30; Western feast day January 2), 4th-century Church Father whose defense of the doctrine of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) made him one of the greatest champions of orthodoxy against Arianism. Nazianzus left it to others to develop the scriptural basis for affirming the Holy Spirit as God. The Alliance is a coalition of pastors, scholars, and churchmen who hold the historic creeds and confessions of the Reformed faith and who proclaim biblical doctrine in order to foster a Reformed awakening in today's Church. Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers, loved God, the art of letters, and the human race—in that order. Once he described a tender memory of Nonna running to him with open arms, shouting his name – an image that was obviously impressed in his mind. Calendar, Canadian Donors: Oratio, 38 (1 – 4, 13 – 18), delivered around Christmas in Constantinople in the year 380. The main reason, however, was that he didn’t feel “qualified to rule a flock or herd, or to have authority over the souls of men.”[3]. On the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is involved in the self-revelation of the Trinity. Lived 329 - 390. With prayer as the anchor of his life, St. Gregory shows us that through any trials and difficulties, experiencing God's love always wins the day . The Holy Spirit In Gregory Nazianzen: The Pneumatology Of Oration 31. 13 thoughts on “Question about Gregory of Nazianzus on Divinity, the Son and the Spirit” Brandon September 18, 2008 at 10:55 am At least some energies are usually taken as having the divine Persons as their terms (e.g. He was also a prolific poet who considered his poetic vocation as a work done for God’s glory. These are the transition from idolatry to the law and then from the law to the gospel. Trinitarian Theology In Early Christian Anaphoras. Canadian Committee of The Bible Study Hour The two young men shared a strong love for learning and a desire to devote their lives to God by following what people of their times considered the most dedicated practice: a monastic life. His father, also named Gregory, had recently been ordained as local bishop. With no scarcity of details, he described Sasima as “a place without water, without vegetation, completely uncivilized, an utterly dreadful and cramped little settlement. “No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am illumined by the Splendor of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish Them than I am carried back to the One. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390 CE), "the Theologian," is the premier teacher on the Holy Trinity in Eastern Christian tradition, yet for over a century historians and theologians have largely neglected his work. Valens, as most emperors, wanted a united religion, and simple and popular were appealing attributes. Gregory is the first author whose works are extant to declare that “the Holy Spirit is God” in so many words. He was son -- one of three children-- of Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus (329-374), in the south-west of Cappadocia, and of Nonna, a daughter of Christian parents. Mass: Sts Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen - Mem - Form: OF Readings: 1st: 1jo 2:22-28 Resp: psa 98:1, 2-3b, 3c-4 Gsp: joh 1:19-28 To Subscribe to this channel: 677 Matt. 29, 30. For He is the Maker of all these, filling all with His Essence, containing all things, filling the world in His Essence, yet incapable of being comprehended in … Doctor of the Church, born at Arianzus, in Asia Minor, c. 325; died at the same place, 389. Gregory was the 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople and an eminent theologian of the early church. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. Refusing to fulfill his ordination, he stayed home, where he continued his previous duties until his father’s death in 374. In the Eastern Church, Holy Water is used frequently in rites of blessing and exorcism, and the water for baptism is always sanctified with a special blessing. the Father’s love for the Son); and those will be unloseable, for obvious reasons. In Gregory’s mind, the Holy Spirit must have equal status with the other godly members for "he is neither a creature, nor a thing made, nor a fellow servant, nor any of these lowly appellations" (Nazianzus, The Fifth Theological Oration - On The Spirit… In Constantinople, a group of these invited Gregory to reorganize their church and lead them in converting the city to the Nicene theology. He was ordained a priest and was appointed Bishop of Sasima by St. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit And born of the virgin Mary. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian, explains this progression in terms of the pedagogy of divine "condescension": The Old Testament proclaimed the Father clearly, but the Son more obscurely. Certainly!' Later, he produced a letter to explain his desertion: he was caught by surprise, he said. The central chapter of the book evaluates Gregory's distinctive doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's role in the work of Christian theology, focusing on the soteriological character of Gregory's Pneumatology in distinction from that of his Christology. 3694 3694 Luke iv. Ephrem’S Doctrine Of God. Man is called to worship the One who elevates … I reminded you of all your former miracles in which we recognize your powerful hand.”[1]. Granted, this is difficult for our puny human brains to do, since we usually think of generation happening at some point in time… ‘The chicken generated an egg last week’ or something like that. Basil the Great are two of the most distinguished doctors of the Church. A violent attack because of theology? I cannot grasp the greatness of That One so as to attribute a greater greatness to the Rest. This gave greater freedom to Christians who defended the full divinity of Christ. They were not terrorists. Calling the Holy Spirit anything less than God only leaves us with further questions about our salvation. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian, explains this progression in terms of the pedagogy of divine "condescension": ... 686 The Holy Spirit is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the plan for our salvation. Gregory Nazianzus. Gregory has been called "the Theologian," "the Divine," and the "Christian Demosthenes." Gregory is drawing upon Origen’s Spirit-Letter dichotomy (166). Caesarius went on to Constantinople, where he became first doctor, then financial manager in the imperial court. He ascends; the Spirit takes His place. It was not prudent to reveal the Son's divinity until the Father's divinity was confessed. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. The other party, instead, took seriously Christ’s command to make disciples, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) and tried hard to reach a better understanding of this mysterious triune relationship. To the followers of Arius, baptizing people in the name of three divine Persons who are equally God was a blasphemy, close to polytheism. When I think of any One of the Three I think of Him as the Whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking of escapes me. Gregory returned home where was finally baptized and began to help his father in his duties, all the while taking frequent trips to visit Basil. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. It argues that Basil's work on the Spirit is less fully Trinitarian and ascetically weaker than that of the other two, that Gregory Nazianzen offers the most fully Trinitarian and methodologically insightful pneumatology of the three, and that the Holy Spirit plays only a minor role in Gregory of Nyssa's theological and ascetical system. “Look at these facts: Christ is born; the Spirit is His Forerunner. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Trinity and the Knowledge of God: In Your Light We Shall See Light: Beeley, Christopher A.: 9780195313970: Books - Amazon.ca Gregory accredited to her his father’s conversion from a small heretical sect. Basil (the Great) was the ecclesial speaker and administrator, and Gregory of Nazianzus (the Theologian) was the poet and rhetorical mastermind, writing forty-five orations and over seventeen thousand lines of poetry. He studied rhetoric with his friend Basil, later named Basil the Great, and Julian, who became an emperor … Gregory succeeded his father as Bishop of Nazianzus and in 379 was elected Bishop of Constantinople. Gregory of Nazianzus: The Bible and the Revelation of the Triune God Yoriko Tanaka Master of Theology University of St. Michaels College of the University of Toronto 2012 Abstract This thesis examines the relationship between Gregory of Nazianzus pneumatology and his understanding of Scripture in light of his concept of Gods revelation. Christ … God spared him, and Gregory arrived in Athens, where he stayed – still unbaptized – for more than ten years, while he studied under well-known teachers. His significance has long been recognized in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity. His long-standing trust in friends was once again crushed, this time by the philosopher Maximus who tried to push Gregory aside in order to rise to the position of bishop of Constantinople. The Fifth Theological Oration. As we confess our faith in a Triune God, we seldom remember the struggle it took to clarify and fine-tune the language that allows us to talk about it. While the Apostolic Fathers did not further this discussion much, it is only by the end of the second century that two … St. Gregory of Nyssa (c 335 – after 394) was a Christian bishop and saint. As a classically trained orator and philosopher he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials. 719 On Pentecost. On the Holy Spirit. There, he was reunited with a friend he had met in Caesarea, Basil. This edition of On the Holy Spirit comes complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents. Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, was born in 329 at Nazianzus in Cappadocia (modern day Turkey). What of the Holy Spirit? The Father is unbegotten, the Son is begotten, and the Holy Spirit proceeds. On his way to Athens, Gregory was caught by a terrible storm, which almost caused a shipwreck. On Wednesday, 22 August [2007], the Holy Father arrived by helicopter from his Summer Residence at Castel Gandolfo for the General Audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall. [2] Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43, 19. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310243.htm, [3] Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 2, 9, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310202.htm, [4] Gregory, White (ed. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Trinity and the Knowledge of God: In Your Light We Shall See Light: Christopher A. Beeley: 9780199948871: Books - Amazon.ca 702 The Oration on Holy Baptism. He states the Orthodox position thus, “If ever there was a time when the Father was not, then there was a time when the Son was not. He is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up. Gregory of Nazianzus also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. Such then is the account of the Son, and in this manner He has escaped those who would stone Him, passing through the midst of them. Gregory’s troubles in Constantinople were not limited to the Easter eve attack. He was an opponent of Apollinaris and taught the complete humanity and the complete divinity of Jesus Christ. Share. He returned a few months later, and apologized to his congregation, who forgave him slowly. 1 Shares “During this time, Gregory, like Augustine, was consecrated priest against his will and with the acclamation of the people. [6] Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 31, 29, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310231.htm. From the Catechism ... St. Gregory of Nazianzus explained this pedagogy of divine "condescension" when he wrote that the Father was revealed in the Old Testament and the Son in the New. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Besides, he said, good Christian poetry can show that Christians can be skillful poets and artists. Unlike Augustine, he literally ran away – back to Pontus. It would not have seemed strange back then, when theology was seen as an urgent, practical matter. The Fifth Theological Oration, On the Holy Spirit 97. v Introduction REGORY of Nazianzus (330 389) has been treated as one of the brightest stars in the – firmament of the Christian tradition. While the Apostolic Fathers did not further this discussion much, it is only by the end of the second century that two … Gregory senior and his wife Nonna had already another child, a girl named Gorgonia. In 381, Gregory presided the Council of Constantinople, but a lack of administrative skills forced him to abdicate. He insisted that the only distinctions that can be established between the three Persons of the Trinity are those which refer to the origin of each of them. They were followers of the doctrines of Arius, a previous priest who had opposed the notion of a fully divine Christ. In this regard, Gregory is the first to use the idea of procession to describe the relationship between the Spirit and the Godhead: "The Holy Spirit is truly Spirit, coming forth from the Father indeed but not after the manner of the Son, for it is not by generation but by procession, since I m… So, also, the Spirit's divinity was withheld until the Son's divinity was believed. His mother died soon after that, and Gregory retired once again to a contemplative life. 13. in an unholy way. Basil in 372. It is all dust and noise and chariots, cries and groans, officials, instruments of torture and shackles, a population consisting only of visitors and vagrants.”[4] He didn’t understand its strategic importance to Basil. Divine Semiotics And The Way To The Triune God In Augustine’S De Trinitate. He was born around the year 33 on the country estate of Arianzus, near Nazianzus, in the Roman province of Cappadocia (in today’s Turkey). To those who found these teachings unscriptural, he recommended a closer biblical examination. He was baptized by his father when he returned to Nazianzus and led a holy life. ), Gregory of Nazianzus, 43. Basil was good friends with Gregory of Nazianzus, together with Basil's brother Gregory they are known as the Cappadocian Fathers. And those will be unloseable, for obvious reasons Roman emperor Valens the! An opponent of Apollinaris and taught the complete humanity and the divine gregory of nazianzus on the holy spirit... 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