Theological Term: Gregory of Nazianzus

Gregory of Nasianzus
One of the Cappadocian fathers, best friend of Basil of Caesarea, presbyter in his home church of Nanzianzus, bishop of Constantanople, and one of the Eastern Church’s “most eloquent preacher[s] in the age of the early Church fathers.”1 He lived from 330-390. Also known as Gregory the Theologian.

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham:

Active church live, however, was not really to Gregory’s liking; he was a sensitive, inward-looking person, who preferred writing poetry in solitude to the vicious cut-and-thrust of fighting Arians in the public arena of Church politics and theological debate. Despite, this, in 379-81 Gregory was briefly bishop of the little Catholic congregation in the Eastern capital, Constantinople, where Arianism reigned supreme. Here Gregory’s Five Theological Orations brilliantly summed up the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity, refuted Arianism, and attracted large numbers to Gregory’s church, winning them over to the Nicene faith.

Learn more:

1. Got Questions: Who was Gregory of Nanziansus? and Who were the Cappadocian Fathers?
2. Theopedia: Gregory of Nanzianzus
3. Credo Magazine: Gregory of Nanzianzus

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Athanasius
• Basil of Caesarea
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Justin Martyr
• Origen
• Sabellius
• Tertullian

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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