St. Gregory Nazianzen
329-390
📅 Feast Day: May 9
📖 Life Timeline
Unknown
Born in 329 AD, Arianzus, Cappadocia
390 AD
Died — April 25, 390 AD, Arianzus
Pre-
Canonized — Pre-Tridentine
✝ Biography
GREGORY NAZIANZEN (St) Bp. Dr. R.M. May 9 c.329-390. A native of Arianzos in Cappadocia and eldest son of St Gregory Nazianzen the Elder (q.v.). He read law for ten years at Athens and then joined his friend St Basil in his monastic solitude in Pontus. In 361 he was ordained priest and in 372 consecrated bishop of the small township of Sasima. This see he refused to accept, acting instead as coadjutor to his father at Nazianzos, until, in 380, he was prevailed upon to accept the see of Constantinople. He was there only one month: after which he resigned and re-
OF SAINTS
tired to Arianzos where he died in 390. The tragedy of his life was his promotion to the rank of bishop, since his character was not fitted for a life of action. On the other hand, as a writer he stands far above most other Greek Doctors, in fact, he is surnamed by the Greeks “the Divine” — ’0 Theologos. He is venerated in East and West as a Doctor of the Church.
Cf. Att. — Baud. — Holw.
GREGORY of OSTIA (St) Bp. O.S.B. A.C. May 9 d. c.1044. A Benedictine cardinal, bishop of Ostia, who exercised legatine powers in the old kingdoms of Spanish Navarre and
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: Theologians, preachers, university students, and those studying philosophy. Doctor of the Church.
💬 Words of the Saint
Know yourself: recognize your nature, know your origin, see the goal set before you.
📜 Key Facts
Born
329 AD, Arianzus, Cappadocia
Died
April 25, 390 AD, Arianzus
Feast Day
May 9
Canonized
Pre-Tridentine
🕊 Legacy
Gregory's theological precision shaped the Council of Constantinople (381). His poetry influenced Dante and Milton. His sermons remain models of Christian eloquence. He is one of the three Cappadocian Fathers.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Theological Orations
On the Trinity
The Father is the source of the Son, the Son is the image of the Father, the Holy Spirit is the proceeding of the Father. The three are one in essence, one in power, one in will. They are not three gods, but one God in three persons.
— St. Gregory Nazianzen
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