“Grace is given not to them who speak their faith but to those who live their faith.”

“It is more important that we should remember God than that we should breathe.”

Gregory was born in Nazianzus, Cappadocia, present-day Turkey, in 329 as the son of Greek parents, Gregory the Elder who was a future Bishop, and his wife, Saint Nonna who were wealthy land owners.

With persistent prayer, Saint Nonna converted her husband to Catholicism at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea and she was made deaconess.

Gregory grew up privileged, with his older sister and younger brother, which allowed them a very good education, but he was not yet baptized.

He studied advanced rhetoric and philosophy in Alexandria and then Athens but on his way across open water, his ship encountered a violent storm. The terrified Gregory prayed to Jesus that if He would deliver him, he would dedicate his life to His service.

While at Athens, he befriended Saint Basil the Great. He also became acquainted with future Emperor Julian.

At 30, just after him and Basil were baptized, Gregory promised to join a monastery that Basil sought to found but was called away to his father, who needed help with the diocese and estate. Per his father’s request, and against his wishes, he was ordained as Presbyter. Still he visited Basil and assisted him with the Rules for his new Order.

Upon a return home, he found the community immersed in the Arianism heresy. Gregory, along with Basil, helped heal the division. In public debates, regulated by the emperor’s agents, they emerged triumphant. With Gregory’s writings, he provided practical wisdom for the Christians of his day.

His siblings passed and his friend Basil was made a Bishop. He occupied himself with his duties but left the diocese Basil assigned him and returned to aid his aged father.

His parents soon passed and he devoted the large fortune he had inherited to the poor. He only kept a small land parcel where he administered to the diocese.

By this time, his past acquaintance, Emperor Julian, had publicly declared himself in opposition to Christianity and Gregory composed works opposing him. Julian prosecuted him but was killed the following year in a campaign.

Persecuted Catholics requested Gregory come to their aid in Constantinople where Arianism had taken root. He consented, and faithful as well as heretics, attracted by his sanctity and knowledge, gathered to hear his discourses on the doctrine of the Trinity. Still he was persecuted and attacked. He was appointed patriarch of Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius and restored the Nicene Creed as the accepted doctrine of the Church. Around this time, Jerome the future saint, became his pupil.

Though his health was frail, and tenure brief, his influence was immense.

He is considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age and made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among the theologians including till today.

He returned to Nazianzus, where he lived his final years in peace and humility, passing away on January 25, 390.

Several of his works were extremely popular including the “Moralia in Job” and his handbook for rulers, “Pastoral Rule”. His “Homilies on the Gospel” offered practical wisdom, and his nearly 900 letters document his papacy.

He has been declared a Doctor of the Church.

His feast day is January 2.

For God’s Glory.