Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder
Encyclopedia
Gregory the Elder, or Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder, (c. 276 – 374) was the bishop of the see of Nazianzus
in Roman province of Cappadocia
. However, he is better remembered as the patriarch of an important family of ecclesiastics.
, a distinct Jewish-pagan sect worshiping Hypsistos, the "Most High" God, Gregory was convinced to convert to Christianity
by his wife Nonna in 325. Both Gregory and Nonna
came from wealthy families, and Gregory was able to personally finance the construction of a church in the region. In 328, Gregory was selected as bishop of Nazianzus
, a position he held until his death. At one point, Gregory subscribed to an Arian
understanding of the Trinity
. However, this was for a very brief time and he quickly renounced that position.
outlived her parents by only a year, and was lauded in the eulogy given by her brother as a model Christian wife. Their younger son, Caesarius of Nazianzus, studied in Caesarea Mazaca and at Alexandria
and became a physician. He served in Constantinople as the court physician for both Constantius II
and Julian the Apostate
, and died in 368. Their elder son, also named Gregory
(and sometimes known as "the Younger"), served alongside his father first as a priest
, and then as co-adjutor. Gregory the Younger would later become the Patriarch of Constantinople
.
Nazianzus
Nazianzus is a Roman Catholic titular metropolitan see in the former Roman province of Cappadocia Tertia.-History:Nazianzus was a small town the history of which is completely unknown...
in Roman province of Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
. However, he is better remembered as the patriarch of an important family of ecclesiastics.
Career
A member of the HypsistariansHypsistarians
Hypsistarians, i.e. worshippers of the Hypsistos , is a term appearing in documents dated about 200 BC to about AD 400, referring to various groups mostly in Asia Minor and on the South Russian coasts of what is today known as the Black Sea.Some modern scholars identify the group, or groups, with...
, a distinct Jewish-pagan sect worshiping Hypsistos, the "Most High" God, Gregory was convinced to convert to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
by his wife Nonna in 325. Both Gregory and Nonna
Nonna of Nazianzus
Saint Nonna of Nazianzus was the wife of Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder, and the mother of Gregory the Theologian, Caesarius, and Gorgonia. She lived in Cappadocia, a province of the Roman Empire in present-day central Turkey.-Life:...
came from wealthy families, and Gregory was able to personally finance the construction of a church in the region. In 328, Gregory was selected as bishop of Nazianzus
Nazianzus
Nazianzus is a Roman Catholic titular metropolitan see in the former Roman province of Cappadocia Tertia.-History:Nazianzus was a small town the history of which is completely unknown...
, a position he held until his death. At one point, Gregory subscribed to an Arian
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
understanding of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
. However, this was for a very brief time and he quickly renounced that position.
Family
Three children were born to Gregory and Nonna. One daughter, Saint GorgoniaSaint Gorgonia
Saint Gorgonia was the daughter of Saint Gregory the Elder and Saint Nonna. She is remembered in both Western and Eastern Churches for her piety as a married woman.-Biography:...
outlived her parents by only a year, and was lauded in the eulogy given by her brother as a model Christian wife. Their younger son, Caesarius of Nazianzus, studied in Caesarea Mazaca and at Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
and became a physician. He served in Constantinople as the court physician for both Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
and Julian the Apostate
Julian the Apostate
Julian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
, and died in 368. Their elder son, also named Gregory
Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory of Nazianzus was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age...
(and sometimes known as "the Younger"), served alongside his father first as a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, and then as co-adjutor. Gregory the Younger would later become the Patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
.
External links
- Catholic Encyclopia, articles on Caesarius and Gregory the Younger.
- Patron Saints Index article on Gregory the Elder.
- Catholic Online article on Saint Gorgonia.