Saint Gregory of Nazianzus

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Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
Feast Day January 02
Liturgical Class
Patronage Poets, theologians, Cappadocia
Birthplace Arius, Nazianzus, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
Death Place Arius, Nazianzus, Cappadocia, Roman Empire
Cause of Death Natural causes, likely illness
Primary Shrine Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, Istanbul, Turkey

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (AD 329 – AD 390), also known as Gregory the Theologian, was a saint, bishop, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs alongside Saint Basil the Great and Saint John Chrysostom. Born in Arius, near Nazianzus, Cappadocia, to a wealthy Christian family, including his father Saint Gregory the Elder and mother Saint Nonna, he studied in Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens, mastering rhetoric and philosophy. Befriending Saint Basil the Great in Athens, he embraced asceticism around AD 357, joining Basil’s monastery in Annesi, Pontus. Ordained priest in AD 362 and bishop of Sasima in AD 372, he reluctantly served as archbishop of Constantinople (AD 379–381), defending Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism at the First Council of Constantinople (AD 381). His *Theological Orations* and poetry, including *On the Son*, clarified Trinitarian doctrine. Retiring to Nazianzus in AD 381, he died there in AD 390 of natural causes. Canonized pre-Congregation, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in AD 1568 by Pope Pius V. His feast day is January 2 in the Roman Catholic Church, January 25 or January 30 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is patron of poets, theologians, and Cappadocia.[1][2]

His relics are venerated in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, Istanbul, with portions in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Gregory’s orations, letters, and 17,000 lines of poetry, blending theology and personal reflection, remain influential, earning him the title “Theologian.” His defense of the Holy Spirit’s divinity and his eloquent sermons, like those in Constantinople, solidified Nicene faith. His friendship with Basil and mentorship by figures like Saint Ephrem the Syrian (who visited Basil in Caesarea) highlight his role in Cappadocian theology.[3][4]

Biography

Birth

Saint Gregory was born in AD 329 in Arius, near Nazianzus, Cappadocia (modern Turkey), to Saint Gregory the Elder, a bishop, and Saint Nonna. His family, including siblings Saint Caesarius and Gorgonia, was affluent and devout.[1][5]

Early Life

Educated in Caesarea Mazaca and Alexandria, Gregory excelled in rhetoric at Athens (AD 348–357), forming a lifelong friendship with Saint Basil the Great. Initially drawn to secular life, he embraced Christianity fully after returning to Nazianzus, joining Basil’s monastic community in Annesi, Pontus, around AD 357.[2][6]

Occupation

Gregory was a priest, bishop, and theologian. Ordained priest in AD 362 by his father, he assisted in Nazianzus’s diocese. Consecrated bishop of Sasima in AD 372 by Basil, he avoided the post due to its turmoil, instead aiding his father. As archbishop of Constantinople (AD 379–381), he delivered his *Theological Orations*, countering Arianism. After resigning at the Council of Constantinople (AD 381), he retired to Nazianzus, writing poetry and letters.[1][3]

Vocation

Gregory’s vocation was theological exposition and pastoral leadership. His *Five Theological Orations* (AD 379–380) articulated the Trinity, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s divinity, complementing Basil’s *On the Holy Spirit*. His poetry, blending personal lament and doctrine, earned him patronage of poets. At Constantinople, his sermons restored Nicene faith, earning him the title “Theologian.” Despite reluctance for ecclesiastical roles, his eloquence and defense of orthodoxy at the AD 381 council shaped Christian doctrine. His interaction with Saint Ephrem the Syrian, via Basil, enriched his theology.[4][7]

Death

Gregory died in AD 390 in Arius, Nazianzus, of natural causes, likely illness, aged around 61. Buried in Nazianzus, his relics were moved to Constantinople in AD 950, then to the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, Istanbul, in the 13th century, with portions sent to Rome in AD 2004.[8][5]

Significant events

  • Studied in Athens, AD 348–357.
  • Joined Basil’s monastery in Annesi, AD 357.
  • Ordained priest in Nazianzus, AD 362.
  • Consecrated bishop of Sasima, AD 372.
  • Became archbishop of Constantinople, AD 379.
  • Delivered *Theological Orations*, AD 379–380.
  • Resigned at Council of Constantinople, AD 381.
  • Died in Nazianzus, AD 390.[1][2]

Significant locations

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Legend

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Parishes

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus

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Canonization

Servant of God

Gregory’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-mortem, with his orations and poetry fostering veneration in Cappadocia and Constantinople by the 4th century.[2]

Venerable

No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through his writings’ liturgical use.[1]

Beatification

No distinct beatification occurred, as his theological contributions ensured early veneration.[4]

Canonization

Gregory was canonized pre-Congregation, with no recorded date or canonizer. Declared a Doctor of the Church in AD 1568 by Pope Pius V, his feast is January 2 in the Roman Catholic Church, January 25 or January 30 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, often with Basil the Great.[1][3]

Miracles

No specific miracles were required for canonization, as his theological works sufficed. Reports of healings and divine inspiration during his Constantinople sermons are noted but unverified.[6]

Miracle for beatification

No miracle was formally documented, as his veneration predates modern processes.[2]

Miracle for canonization

No miracle was required, per early Church norms for theologians.[4]

Other notable miracles

  • Alleged divine guidance in crafting *Theological Orations*, AD 379–380.
  • Reported healings during Constantinople sermons, AD 380.[7]

Patronage

Saint Gregory is patron of poets (for his 17,000 lines of verse), theologians (for his orations), and Cappadocia (his homeland), reflecting his literary and doctrinal legacy.[9]

Feast day

His feast day is January 2 in the Roman Catholic Church, January 25 (conversion) or January 30 (with Basil and Chrysostom) in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[1][7]

Veneration

Gregory is venerated across Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. Pilgrimages to the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, Istanbul, and Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, honor his relics. His image, often with a quill or dove, adorns churches like Saint Gregory’s in Cappadocia and Orthodox cathedrals. Feast day liturgies feature his orations, emphasizing Trinitarian theology. His poetic legacy and friendship with Basil, alongside influence from Ephrem the Syrian, sustain his theological impact.[4][10]

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Gregory of Nazianzus". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nazianzus. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "St. Gregory of Nazianzus". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Gregory of Nazianzus". Franciscan Media. 2025-01-02. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gregory-of-nazianzus. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Gregory of Nazianzus". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gregory-of-nazianzus/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. Gregory of Nazianzus". Catholic News Agency. 2025-01-02. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-gregory-of-nazianzus-96. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Gregory of Nazianzus". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/gregory-of-nazianzus-1213. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Gregory of Nazianzus". Vatican News. 2025-01-02. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/01/02/st--gregory-of-nazianzus.html. 
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named web lacunae in the sources concerning Gregory's relics after Constantinople. In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, many relics were dispersed from Constantinople, and Gregory’s were likely among them. By the 13th century, his primary relics were housed in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George in Istanbul, as noted in Orthodox sources. In 2004, a portion was returned to Rome’s Saint Peter’s Basilica as a gesture of ecumenical goodwill, per Vatican and Orthodox records.<ref name=
  9. ↑ "Saint Gregory of Nazianzus". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-gregory-of-nazianzus. 
  10. ↑ "Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George". Ecumenical Patriarchate. https://www.patriarchate.org/patriarchal-cathedral. 
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