The edition of Billius only
contains
a part of
Constantinople, as he was already bishop of Na- Gregory's poems.
Constantinople, as he was already bishop of Na- Gregory's poems.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
All the other events of the strongest aspirations for a life of rest and re-
his life, of any importance, are related in the next ligious meditation (Epist. xxxii. p. 696), became
article. (Greg. Nazianz. Orat. xix. ) [P. S. ] one of the most restless of mankind. " (Comp.
GREGOʻRIUS NAZIANZE'NUS, ST. , sur-Orat. V. p. 134. )
named Oebroyos, from his zeal in the defence of the In the year 360 or 361, Gregory was called from
Nicene doctrine*, was one of the most eminent fathers his retirement to the help of his father, who, as the
of the Greek Church. He was born at Ariadzus, a best means of securing his support, and probably
village in Cappadocia, not far from Nazianzus, the also to prevent bim from choosing the monastic life,
city of which his father was the bishop, and from suddenly, and without his consent, ordained him as
which both father and son took the surname of a presbyter, probably at Christmas, 361. Gregory
Nazianzen. There is some doubt about the date showed his dislike to this proceeding by imme-
of his birth. The statement of Suidas (s. v. ) is diately rejoining Basil, but the entreaties of his
directly at variance with several known facts in his father and of many of the people of Nazianzus,
life. In all probability he was born in, or very backed by the fear that he might be, like Jonah,
shortly before, the year 329. His mother Nonna, fleeing from his duty, induced him to retum home,
a zealous and devout Christian, bad devoted him about Easter, 362. At that feast he preached his
even in the womb to the service of God, and ex- first sermon (Orat. xl. ), which, as it seems, he af-
erted herself to the utmost in training his infant terwards expanded into a fuller discourse, which
mind to this destiny. In that age of miracles and was published but never preached (Orat. i. ), in
visions, we are not surprised to find that Gregory, which he defends himself against the charges that
while yet a boy, was visited by a dream, which his flight from Nazianzus had occasioned, and sets
excited in him the resolution, to which he was ever forth the duties and difficulties of a Christian minis-
stedfast, to live a life of asceticism and celibacy, ter. It is called his Apologetic Discourse. He was
withdrawn from the world, and in the service of now for some time engaged in the discharge of his
God and the church. Meanwhile, his father took duties as a presbyter, and in assisting his aged
the greatest care of his education in the sciences father in his episcopal functions, as well as in com-
and arts. From the care of able teachers at Cae- posing the differences between him and the monks
sareia he proceeded to Palestine, where he studied of Nazianzus, the happy termination of which he
eloquence ; thence he went to Alexandria, and celebrated in three orations. (Orat. xii. - xiv. )
finally his zeal for knowledge led him to Athens, In the mean time Julian had succeeded to the
then the focus of all learning. On his voyage, the throne of Constantius (A. D. 36l), and Gregory,
vessel encountered a tremendous storm, which ex- like his friend Basil, was soon brought into collision
cited in him great terror, because he had not yet with the apostate emperor, from whose court he
been baptized.
persuaded his brother Caesarius to retire. (CAE-
The time of his arrival at Athens seems to have SARIUS, St. ) Whether the unsupported statement
been about, or before A. D. 350. He applied himself of Gregory, that he and his friend Basil were
ardently to the study of language, poetry, rhetoric, marked out as the first victims of a new general
philosophy, mathematics, and also of physicand music. persecution on Julian's return from Persia, can
At Athens Gregory formed his friendship with Basil. be relied upon or not, it is certain that the
[Basilius. ) Here also he met with Julian, whose passions of the emperor would soon have over.
dangerous character he is said to have discerned come his affectation of philosophy, and that his
even thus early. On the departure of Basil from pretended indifference, but real disfavour, towards
Athens, in 355, Gregory would have accompanied Christianity, would have broken out into a fierce
his friend ; but, at the urgent request of the whole persecution. The deliverance from this danger by
body of students, he remained there as a teacher of the fall of Julian (B. C. 363) was celebrated by
rhetoric, but only till the following year, when he Gregory in two orations against the emperor's me-
returned home, 356. He now made an open pro-mory (abyol OTTALTEUTIKOL, Orat. iii. and iv. ),
fession of Christianity by receiving baptism ; and, which are distinguished more for warmth of in-
declining to exercise his powers as a rhetorician, vective than either for real eloquence or Christian
either in the courts or in the schools, he set himself temper. They were never delivered.
to perform his vows of dedication to the service of In the year 364, when Basil was deposed by his
God. He made a resolution, which he is said to bishop, Eusebius, Gregory again accompanied him
have kept all his life, never to swear. His religion to his retreat in Pontus, and was of great service
in effecting his reconciliation with Eusebius, which
* In the Arian controversy, the terms Seologla took place in 365. He also assisted Basil most
and Seboyos were used by the orthodox with powerfully against the attacks of Valens and the
reference to the Nicene doctrine, which they be Arian bishops of Cappadocia. For the next five
lieved to be contained in the passage of Scripture, years he seems to have been occupied with his
seos Hy o núos. It was in this sense that they duties at Nazianzus, in the midsi of domestic
called the apostle John ο θεόλογος.
troubles, the illness of his parents, and the death
## p. 312 (#328) ############################################
312
GREGORIUS.
GREGORIUS.
of his brother CAESARIUS, A. D. 368 or 369. His to have remained till 379, but where he was still
panegyric on Caesarius is esteemed one of his best disappointed of the rest he sought ; for his own
discourses. (Orat. x. ) A few years later, A. D. ardent spirit and the claims of others compelled
374, he lost his sister Gorgonia, for whom also he him still to engage in the ecclesiastical controversies
composed a panegyric. (Orat. xi. )
which distracted the Eastern Church. The defence
The election of Basil to the bishopric of Cae of orthodoxy against the Arians seemed to rest
sareia, in 370, was promoted by Gregory and his upon him more than ever, after the death of Basil,
father with a zeal which passed the bounds of on the 1st of January, A. D. 379, and in that year
scemliness and prudence. One of Basil's first acts he was called from his retirement, much against his
was to invite his friend to become a presbyter at will, by the urgent request of many orthodox
Caesareia ; but Gregory declined the invitation, bishops to Constantinople, to aid the cause of Ca-
on grounds the force of which Basil could noi tholicism, which, after a severe depression for forty
deny: (Orat. xx. p. 344. ) An event soon after years, there seemed hopes of reviving under the
wards occurred, which threatened the rupture of auspices of Gratian and Theodosius. At Constan-
their friendship. Basil, as metropolitan of Cappa- tinople Gregory had to maintain a conflict, not only
docia, erected a new see at the small, poor, unplen- with the Arians, but also with large bodies of No
sant, and unhealthy town of Sasima, and conferred vatians, Appollinarists, and other heretics. His
the bishopric on Gregory, A. D. 372. The true success was great, and not unattended by miracles.
motive of Basil seems to have been to strengthen So powerful were the heretics, and so few the or-
his authority as metropolitan, by placing the person thodox, that the Intter had no church capable of
on whom he could most rely as a sort of outpost containing the increasing numbers who came to
against Anthimus, the bishop of Tyana; for Sasima listen to Gregory. He was therefore obliged to
was very near Tyana, and was actually claimed by gather his congregation in the house of a relation ;
Anthimus as belonging to his see. But for this and this originated the celebrated church of Anas-
very reason the appointment was the more unac- tasia, which was afterwards built with great splen-
ceptable to Gregory, whose most cherished wish dour and sanctified by numerous miracles. Some
was to retire into a religious solitude, as soon as of his discourses at Constantinople are among his
his father's death should set him free. He gave extant works; the most celebrated of them are the
vent to his feelings in three discourses, in which, five on the divine nature, and especially on the
however, he shows that his friendship for Basil Godhead of Christ, in answer to the Eunomians
prevails over his offended feelings (Orat. v. vi. vii. ), and Macedonians, entitled Abyoi Ocoloyikol. (Orat.
and he never assumed the functions of his epis- xxxiii. —xxxvii. ) It cannot be said that these
copate. Finding him resolved not to go to Sasima, discourses deserve the reputation in which they
his father, with much difficulty, prevailed upon him were held by the ancients. They present a clear,
to share with him the bishopric of Nazianzus ; and dogmatic, uncritical statement of the Catholic faith,
Gregory only consented upon the condition that he with ingenious replies to its opponents, in a forma
should be at liberty to lay down the office at his which has far more of the rhetoric of the schools
father's death. On this occasion he delivered the than of real eloquence. Moreover, his perfect
discourse (Orat. viii. ) entitled, Ad Patrem, quum Nicene orthodoxy has been questioned: it is al-
Nazianzenae_ ecclesiae curam filio commisisset, leged that in the fifth discourse he somewhat sacri-
A. D. 372. . To the following year are generally fices the unity to the trinity of the Godhead. The
assigned his discourse De pluga grandinis, on the success of Gregory provoked the Arians to extreme
occasion of a hailstorm which had ravaged the hostility: they pelted him, they desecrated his
country round Nazianzus (Orat. xv. ), and that Ad little church, and they accused him in a court of
Nazianzenos, timore trepidantes, et Prae fectum justice as a disturber of the public peace ; but he
iratum (Orat. xvii. ), the occasion of which seems to bore their persecutions with patience, and, finally,
have been some popular commotion in the city, many of his opponents became his hearers. The
which the praefect was disposed to punish severely. weaker side of his character was displayed in his
Gregory Nazianzen, the father, died in the year relations to Maximus, an ambitious hypocrite,
374, at the age of almost a hundred years, and his whose apparent sanctity and zeal for orthodoxy so
son pronounced over him a funeral oration, at which far imposed upon Gregory, that he pronounced a
his mother Nonna and his friend Basil were panegyrical oration upon him in his presence.
presenta (Orat. xix. ) He was now anxious to (Orat. xxii. ) Maximus soon after endeavoured, in
perform his purpose of laying down the bishopric, 380, to seize the episcopal chair of Constantinople,
but his friends prevailed on him to retain it for a but the people rose against him, and expelled him
time, though he never regarded himself as actually from the city. This and other troubles caused
bishop of Nazianzus, but merely as a temporary oc- Gregory to think of leaving Constantinople, but, at
cupant of the see (Epist. xlii. p. 804, lxv. p. 824, the entreaties of his people, he promised to remain
Curm. de Vito sua, p. 9, Orat. viii. p. 148). It is with them till other bishops should come to take
therefore an error of his disciple Jerome (Vir. charge of them. He retired home, however, for a
IUust. 117), and other writers, to speak of Gregory short time to refresh his spirit with the solitude he
as bishop of Nazianzus. From a discourse delivered loved.
about this time (Orat, ix,), we find that he was In November, 380, Theodosius arrived at Con-
still as averse from public life, and as fond of stantinople, and received Gregory with the highest
solitary meditation, as ever. He also began to favour, promising him his firm support. He com-
feel the infirmities of age, which his ascetic life had pelled the Arians to give up all the churches of the
brought upon him, though he was not yet fifty. city to the Catholics, and, in the midst of the im-
From these causes, and also, it would seem, in perial guards, Gregory entered the great church of
order to compel the bishops of Cappadocia to fill up Constantinople, by the side of Theodosius. The
the see of Nazianzus, he at last tied to Seleuceia, excessive cloudiness of the day was interpreted by
the capital of Isauria (A. D. 375), where he appears the Arians as a token of the Divine displeasure, but
## p. 313 (#329) ############################################
GREGORIUS.
313
GREGORIUS.
when, at the commencement of the service, the sun The former was tempered by sincere and humble
burst forth and filled the church with his light, all piety, and by a deep conviction of the benefits of
the orthodox accepted it as a sign from heaven, and moderation; the latter was aggravated by his
called out to the emperor to make Gregory bishop notions of philosophic quietism, and by his con
of Constantinople. The cry was with difficulty tinual encounters with difficulties above his strength.
appeased for the time, and shortly afterwards Gre- He was a perfectly honest man. His mind, though
gory was compelled to accept the office. As the highly cultivated, was of no great power. His
lread of the orthodox party, Gregory used their pocms are not above mediocrity, and his discourses,
victory with a healing moderation, at least accord- though sometimes really eloquent, are generally
ing to the ideas of his time, for the suppression of nothing more than favourable specimens of the
the public worship of the heretics by the edicts of rhetoric of the schools. He is more earnest than
Theodosius was not regarded by him as an act of Chrysostom, but not so ornamental. He is more
persecution. On the other hand, many of the artificial, but also, in spirit, more attractive, than
Arians regarded him with the deepest enmity, and Basil. Biblical theology has gained but little from
he relates a romantic story of an assassin, who either of these writers, whose chief aim was to
came with other visitors into his room, but was explain and enforce the dogmas of the Catholic
conscience-stricken, and confessed his guilt: Gre church.
gory dismissed him with his benediction. The The works of Gregory Nazianzen are, 1. Orar
affairs of the church were administered by him tions or Sermons ; 2. Letters ; 3. Poems ; 4. His
with diligence and integrity, and he paid no more Will.
court to the emperor than the etiquette of his rank The following are the most important editions of
required. Several of his sermons belong to the the works of Gregory Nazianzen:-An editio prin-
year of his patriarchate.
ceps, Basil. 1550, folio, containing the Greek text,
At the beginning of the year 381, Theodosius and the lives of Gregory by Suidas, Sophronius,
convoked the celebrated council of Constantinople, and Gregory the presbyter. A Latin version was
the second of the oecumenical councils. One of its published at the same place and time, in a separate
earliest acts was to confirm Gregory in the patri- volume. 2. Morell's edition, after the text of
archate of Constantinople, and soon after, in con- Billius, 2 vols. fol. Paris. 1609-1611; a new and
sequence of the sudden death of Meletius, he becanie improved edition, 1630; a careless reprint, Colon.
president of the council. He soon found, however, (Lips. ), 1690. 3. Another edition, after Billius,
that he had not the power to rule it. He was by Tollius and Muratorius, Venet. 1753. 4. The
too good and moderate, perhaps also too weak and Benedictine edition, of which only the first volume
indolent, to govern a general council in that age. was published: it was commenced by Louvart,
His health also was very infirm. He gradually continued by Maron, and finished by Clemencet.
withdrew himself from the sittings of the council, It contains only the discourses, preceded by an
and showed a disposition to lay down his bishopric. excellent life of Gregory, Paris. 1778. The dis-
His chief opponents, the Egyptian and Macedonian courses are placed in a new order by Clemencet.
bishops, seized the opportunity to attack him, on The numbers used in this article are those of Bil-
the ground that he could not hold the bishopric of lius.
The edition of Billius only contains a part of
Constantinople, as he was already bishop of Na- Gregory's poems. The principal edition of the
zianzus, and the church did not permit translations. remainder is by Tollius, under the title of Car-
Upon this he gladly resigned his office. His re- mina Cygnea, in his Insignia Itinerarii Italii,
signation was accepted without hesitation by the Traj. ad Rhen. 1696, 4to. , reprinted, 1709.
council and the emperor, and he took leave of the Muratori further discovered several of Gregory's
people of Constantinople in a discourse which is epigrams, which he published in his Anecdota
the noblest effort of his eloquence. He returned Graeca, Patav. 1709, 410. These epigrams form a
to Cappadocia, and, the course of his journey lead- part of the Palatine Anthology, and are published
ing him to Caesareia, he there delivered his ad- more accurately in Jacobs's edition of the Palatine
mirable funeral oration upon Basil. Finding the Anthology, b. viii, vol. i. pp. 539—604; and in
bishopric of Nazianzus still vacant, he discharged Boissonade's Poet. Graec. Sylloge, Paris, 1824,
its duties until, in the following year, 383, he &c. There are many other editions of parts of his
found a suitable successor in his cousin Eulalius. works. (The authorities for Gregory's life, besides
He now finally retired to his long-sought solitude, those already quoted, are the lives of him by
at his paternal estate at Arianzus, where the enjoy- Nicetas and by Gregory the presbyter, the Eccle-
ment of quiet philosophical meditation was mingled siustical Histories of Socrates and Sozomen, the
with the review of his past life, which he recorded works of Baronius, Tillemont, Fleury, Du Pin,
in an lambic poem. This work breathes a spirit Lardner, Le Clerc; Cave, Hish. Lit. vol. i. p. 246;
of contentment, derived from an approving con- Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol viii. p. 383; Schröckh,
science, but not unmixed with complaints of the Christliche Kirchengeschichte, vol. xiii. p. 268 ; Ull-
ingratitude and disappointment which he had en- mann, Gregorius von Nazianz, der Theologe, ein
countered in the discharge of duties be had never Beitrag zur Kirchen und Dogmengeschichte des
sought, and lamentations over the evil times on vierten Jahrhunderts, Darmst. 1825, 8vo. ; Hoff-
which he had fallen. He draws a melancholy mann, Lexicon Bibliographicum Scriptorum Grae-
picture of the character of the clergy of his time, corum. )
[P. S. )
derived chiefly from his experience of the council GRÉGO'RIUS NYSSE'NUS, ST. , bishop of
of Constantinople. He also wrote other poems, and Nyssa, in Cappadocia, and a father of the Greek
several letters, in his retirement. He died in 389 church, was the younger brother of Basil the Great.
or 390. After the account given of his life, little He was born at Caesareia, in Cappadocia, in or
remains to be said of his character. His natural soon after A. D. 331. Though we have no express
disposition partook of the two qualities, which are account of his education, there is no doubt that,
often found united, impetuosity and indolence. I like his brothers, it was the best that the Roman
## p. 314 (#330) ############################################
314
GREGORIUS.
GREGORIUS.
anzen.
empire could furnish. Like his brother also, he came the pupil and the convert of Origen, about
formed an early friendship with Gregory Nazi- 1. D. 234. At the end of five years, during which
He did not, however, share in their reli- Origen instructed him in logic, physics, mathema-
gious views; but, having been appointed a reader tics, ethics, and the whole circle of philosophy, as
in some church, he abandoned the office, and be well as in the Christian faith and biblical science,
came a teacher of rhetoric. Gregory Nazianzen Gregory returned to his native place, where he
remonstrated with him on this step by letter (Epist. soon received a letter from Origen, persuading him
43), and ultimately he became a minister of the to become a minister of the church. Gregory, how-
church, being ordained by his brother Basil to the ever, withdrew into the wilderness, whithar he
bishopric of Nyssa, a small place in Cappadocian was followed by Phaedimns, bishop of Amaseia,
about A. D. 372. As a pillar of orthodoxy, he was who wished to ordain him to the bishopric of Neo
only inferior to his brother and his friend. The caesareia. Gregory for a long time succeeded in
Arians persecuted him; and at last upon a frivo- evading the search of Phaedimus, who at last, in
lous accusation, drove him into banishment, A. D. Gregory's absence, performed the ceremony of his
375, from which, on the death of Valens, he was ordination, just as if he had been present. Upon
recalled by Gratian, A. D. 378. In the following this Gregory came from his hiding place, and under-
year he was present at the synod of Antioch ; and took the office, in the discharge of which he was so
after visiting his dying sister, Macrina, in Pontus successful, that whereas, when he became bishop,
[Basilius), he went into Arabia, having been there were only seventeen Christians in the city,
commissioned by the synod of Antioch to inspect at his death there were only seventeen persons
the churches of that country. From this tour he who were not Christians, notwithstanding the two
returned in 380 or 381, visiting Jerusalem in his calamities of the Decian persecution, about A. D.
way. The state of religion and morality there 250, and the invasion of the northern barbarians,
greatly shocked him, and he expressed his feelings about A. D. 260, from which the church of Neo-
in a letter against the pilgrimage to the holy city. caesareia suffered severely during his bishopric.
In 381 he went to the oecumenical council of Con- In the Decian persecution he fled into the wilder-
stantinople, taking with him his great work against ness, not, as it really appears, from fear, but to
the Arian Eunomius, which he read before Gregory preserve his life for the sake of his flock. He was
Nazianzen and Jerome. In the council he took a a warm champion of orthodoxy, and sat in the
very active part, and he had a principal share in council which was held at Antioch in a. D. 265, to
the composition of the creed, by which the Catholic inquire into the heresies of Paul of Samosata. He
doctrine respecting the Holy Ghost was added to died not long afterwards. The very probable
the Nicene Creed. On the death of Meletius, the emendation of Kuster to Suidas, substituting the
first president of the council, Gregory was chosen name of Aurelian for that of Julian, would bring
to deliver his funeral oration.
down his life to A. D. 270.
He was present at the second council of Con- This is not the place to inquire into the miracles
stantinople in 394, and probably died shortly after which are said to have been performed by Gregory
wards. He was married, though he afterwards at every step of his life. One example of them
adopted the prevailing views of his time in favour is sufficient. On his journey from the wilder-
of the celibacy of the clergy. His wife's name was ness to his see he spent a night in a heathen
Theosebeia.
temple. The mere presence of the holy man er-
The reputation of Gregory Nyssen with the orcised the demons, so that, when the Pagan priest
ancients was only inferior to that of his brother, came in the morning to perform the usual service,
and to that of Gregory Nazianzen. (See especially he could obtain no sign of the presence of his divi-
Phot. Cod. 6. ) Like them, he was an eminent nities. Enraged at Gregory, he threatened to take
rhetorician, but his oratory often offends by its ex- him before the magistrates; but soon, seeing the
travagance. His theology bears strong marks of calmness of the saint, his anger was turned to ad-
the influence of the writings of Origen.
miration and faith, and he besought Gregory, as a
His works may be divided into: 1. Treatises further proof of his power, to cause the demons to
on doctrinal theology, chiefly, but not entirely, return. The wonder-worker consented, and laid
relating to the Arian controversy, and including upon the altar a piece of paper, on which he had
also works against the Appollinarists and the Mani-written, “ Gregory to Satan:- Enter. ” The ac-
chaeans. 2. Treatises on the practical duties of customed rites were performed, and the presence of
Christianity. 3. Sermons and Orations. 4. Letters. the demons was manifested. The result was the
5. Biographies. The only complete edition of conversion of the Pagan priest, who became a dea-
Gregory Nyssen is that of Morell and Gretser, con of Neocaesareia, and the most faithful follower of
2 vols. fol. Paris, 1615-1618 ; reprinted 1638. the bishop. The following are the genuine works
There are several editions of his separate works. of Gregory Thaumaturgus :- 1. Panegyricus aul
(Lardner's Credibility; Care, Hist. Lit. vol. i. p. Origenem, a discourse delivered when he was about
244; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. ix. p. 98; Schröckh, to quit the school Origen. 2. Metaphrasis in
Christliche Kirchengeschichte, vol. xiv. ; F. Rupp, Ecclesiasten. 3. Expositio Fidei, a creed of the
Gregors von Nyssa Leben und Meinungen, Leipz. doctrine of the Trinity. 4. Epistola canonica, de
1834, 8vo. ; Hoffmann, Lexicon Bibliograph. Script. us, qui in Barbarorum Incursione idolothyta come-
Graec. )
[P. S. ] derant, an epistle in which he describes the penances
GREGO'RIUS THAUMATURGUS, to be required of those converts who had relapsed
THEODOʻRUS, ST. , received the surname off into heathenism through the fear of death, and
Thaumaturgus from his miracles. He was a native who desired to be restored to the church. 4.
of Neocaesareia in Cappadocia, and the son of Other Letters. The other works ascribed to him
heathen parents. He pursued his studies, chiefly are either spurious or doubtful.
in Roman law, at Alexandria, Athens, Berytus, The following are the editions of Gregory's
and finally at Caesareia in Palestine, where he be- / works:--1. That of Gerardus Vossius, Greek and
or
## p. 315 (#331) ############################################
GRYNEUS.
315
GULUSSA.
a
itin, Lips. 1604, 4to. 2. The Paris edition, in under which he had a temple, an ancient omcle,
Greek and Latin, which also contains the works of and a beautiful grove near the town of Grynion,
Macarius and Basil of Seleuceia, 1622, fol. 3. In Gryna, or Grynus in Aeolis in Asia Minor. (Paus.
Gallandii Biblioth. Patrum, Paris, 1788, folio. i. 21. § 9 ; Serv. ad Virg. Eclog. vi. 72; Athen.
There are several editions of his separate works. iv. p. 149 ; Steph. Byz. s. o. Spúvol. ) Under the
(Gregorius Nyssen. Vil. S. Greg. Thaum. ; Suid. similar, if not the same name, Spureus, Apollo was
8. o. ; the ancient ecclesiastical historians; Lard- worshipped in the Hecatonnesi. (Strab. xiii. p.
ner's Credibüity; Cave, Hist. Lit. sub. ann.
his life, of any importance, are related in the next ligious meditation (Epist. xxxii. p. 696), became
article. (Greg. Nazianz. Orat. xix. ) [P. S. ] one of the most restless of mankind. " (Comp.
GREGOʻRIUS NAZIANZE'NUS, ST. , sur-Orat. V. p. 134. )
named Oebroyos, from his zeal in the defence of the In the year 360 or 361, Gregory was called from
Nicene doctrine*, was one of the most eminent fathers his retirement to the help of his father, who, as the
of the Greek Church. He was born at Ariadzus, a best means of securing his support, and probably
village in Cappadocia, not far from Nazianzus, the also to prevent bim from choosing the monastic life,
city of which his father was the bishop, and from suddenly, and without his consent, ordained him as
which both father and son took the surname of a presbyter, probably at Christmas, 361. Gregory
Nazianzen. There is some doubt about the date showed his dislike to this proceeding by imme-
of his birth. The statement of Suidas (s. v. ) is diately rejoining Basil, but the entreaties of his
directly at variance with several known facts in his father and of many of the people of Nazianzus,
life. In all probability he was born in, or very backed by the fear that he might be, like Jonah,
shortly before, the year 329. His mother Nonna, fleeing from his duty, induced him to retum home,
a zealous and devout Christian, bad devoted him about Easter, 362. At that feast he preached his
even in the womb to the service of God, and ex- first sermon (Orat. xl. ), which, as it seems, he af-
erted herself to the utmost in training his infant terwards expanded into a fuller discourse, which
mind to this destiny. In that age of miracles and was published but never preached (Orat. i. ), in
visions, we are not surprised to find that Gregory, which he defends himself against the charges that
while yet a boy, was visited by a dream, which his flight from Nazianzus had occasioned, and sets
excited in him the resolution, to which he was ever forth the duties and difficulties of a Christian minis-
stedfast, to live a life of asceticism and celibacy, ter. It is called his Apologetic Discourse. He was
withdrawn from the world, and in the service of now for some time engaged in the discharge of his
God and the church. Meanwhile, his father took duties as a presbyter, and in assisting his aged
the greatest care of his education in the sciences father in his episcopal functions, as well as in com-
and arts. From the care of able teachers at Cae- posing the differences between him and the monks
sareia he proceeded to Palestine, where he studied of Nazianzus, the happy termination of which he
eloquence ; thence he went to Alexandria, and celebrated in three orations. (Orat. xii. - xiv. )
finally his zeal for knowledge led him to Athens, In the mean time Julian had succeeded to the
then the focus of all learning. On his voyage, the throne of Constantius (A. D. 36l), and Gregory,
vessel encountered a tremendous storm, which ex- like his friend Basil, was soon brought into collision
cited in him great terror, because he had not yet with the apostate emperor, from whose court he
been baptized.
persuaded his brother Caesarius to retire. (CAE-
The time of his arrival at Athens seems to have SARIUS, St. ) Whether the unsupported statement
been about, or before A. D. 350. He applied himself of Gregory, that he and his friend Basil were
ardently to the study of language, poetry, rhetoric, marked out as the first victims of a new general
philosophy, mathematics, and also of physicand music. persecution on Julian's return from Persia, can
At Athens Gregory formed his friendship with Basil. be relied upon or not, it is certain that the
[Basilius. ) Here also he met with Julian, whose passions of the emperor would soon have over.
dangerous character he is said to have discerned come his affectation of philosophy, and that his
even thus early. On the departure of Basil from pretended indifference, but real disfavour, towards
Athens, in 355, Gregory would have accompanied Christianity, would have broken out into a fierce
his friend ; but, at the urgent request of the whole persecution. The deliverance from this danger by
body of students, he remained there as a teacher of the fall of Julian (B. C. 363) was celebrated by
rhetoric, but only till the following year, when he Gregory in two orations against the emperor's me-
returned home, 356. He now made an open pro-mory (abyol OTTALTEUTIKOL, Orat. iii. and iv. ),
fession of Christianity by receiving baptism ; and, which are distinguished more for warmth of in-
declining to exercise his powers as a rhetorician, vective than either for real eloquence or Christian
either in the courts or in the schools, he set himself temper. They were never delivered.
to perform his vows of dedication to the service of In the year 364, when Basil was deposed by his
God. He made a resolution, which he is said to bishop, Eusebius, Gregory again accompanied him
have kept all his life, never to swear. His religion to his retreat in Pontus, and was of great service
in effecting his reconciliation with Eusebius, which
* In the Arian controversy, the terms Seologla took place in 365. He also assisted Basil most
and Seboyos were used by the orthodox with powerfully against the attacks of Valens and the
reference to the Nicene doctrine, which they be Arian bishops of Cappadocia. For the next five
lieved to be contained in the passage of Scripture, years he seems to have been occupied with his
seos Hy o núos. It was in this sense that they duties at Nazianzus, in the midsi of domestic
called the apostle John ο θεόλογος.
troubles, the illness of his parents, and the death
## p. 312 (#328) ############################################
312
GREGORIUS.
GREGORIUS.
of his brother CAESARIUS, A. D. 368 or 369. His to have remained till 379, but where he was still
panegyric on Caesarius is esteemed one of his best disappointed of the rest he sought ; for his own
discourses. (Orat. x. ) A few years later, A. D. ardent spirit and the claims of others compelled
374, he lost his sister Gorgonia, for whom also he him still to engage in the ecclesiastical controversies
composed a panegyric. (Orat. xi. )
which distracted the Eastern Church. The defence
The election of Basil to the bishopric of Cae of orthodoxy against the Arians seemed to rest
sareia, in 370, was promoted by Gregory and his upon him more than ever, after the death of Basil,
father with a zeal which passed the bounds of on the 1st of January, A. D. 379, and in that year
scemliness and prudence. One of Basil's first acts he was called from his retirement, much against his
was to invite his friend to become a presbyter at will, by the urgent request of many orthodox
Caesareia ; but Gregory declined the invitation, bishops to Constantinople, to aid the cause of Ca-
on grounds the force of which Basil could noi tholicism, which, after a severe depression for forty
deny: (Orat. xx. p. 344. ) An event soon after years, there seemed hopes of reviving under the
wards occurred, which threatened the rupture of auspices of Gratian and Theodosius. At Constan-
their friendship. Basil, as metropolitan of Cappa- tinople Gregory had to maintain a conflict, not only
docia, erected a new see at the small, poor, unplen- with the Arians, but also with large bodies of No
sant, and unhealthy town of Sasima, and conferred vatians, Appollinarists, and other heretics. His
the bishopric on Gregory, A. D. 372. The true success was great, and not unattended by miracles.
motive of Basil seems to have been to strengthen So powerful were the heretics, and so few the or-
his authority as metropolitan, by placing the person thodox, that the Intter had no church capable of
on whom he could most rely as a sort of outpost containing the increasing numbers who came to
against Anthimus, the bishop of Tyana; for Sasima listen to Gregory. He was therefore obliged to
was very near Tyana, and was actually claimed by gather his congregation in the house of a relation ;
Anthimus as belonging to his see. But for this and this originated the celebrated church of Anas-
very reason the appointment was the more unac- tasia, which was afterwards built with great splen-
ceptable to Gregory, whose most cherished wish dour and sanctified by numerous miracles. Some
was to retire into a religious solitude, as soon as of his discourses at Constantinople are among his
his father's death should set him free. He gave extant works; the most celebrated of them are the
vent to his feelings in three discourses, in which, five on the divine nature, and especially on the
however, he shows that his friendship for Basil Godhead of Christ, in answer to the Eunomians
prevails over his offended feelings (Orat. v. vi. vii. ), and Macedonians, entitled Abyoi Ocoloyikol. (Orat.
and he never assumed the functions of his epis- xxxiii. —xxxvii. ) It cannot be said that these
copate. Finding him resolved not to go to Sasima, discourses deserve the reputation in which they
his father, with much difficulty, prevailed upon him were held by the ancients. They present a clear,
to share with him the bishopric of Nazianzus ; and dogmatic, uncritical statement of the Catholic faith,
Gregory only consented upon the condition that he with ingenious replies to its opponents, in a forma
should be at liberty to lay down the office at his which has far more of the rhetoric of the schools
father's death. On this occasion he delivered the than of real eloquence. Moreover, his perfect
discourse (Orat. viii. ) entitled, Ad Patrem, quum Nicene orthodoxy has been questioned: it is al-
Nazianzenae_ ecclesiae curam filio commisisset, leged that in the fifth discourse he somewhat sacri-
A. D. 372. . To the following year are generally fices the unity to the trinity of the Godhead. The
assigned his discourse De pluga grandinis, on the success of Gregory provoked the Arians to extreme
occasion of a hailstorm which had ravaged the hostility: they pelted him, they desecrated his
country round Nazianzus (Orat. xv. ), and that Ad little church, and they accused him in a court of
Nazianzenos, timore trepidantes, et Prae fectum justice as a disturber of the public peace ; but he
iratum (Orat. xvii. ), the occasion of which seems to bore their persecutions with patience, and, finally,
have been some popular commotion in the city, many of his opponents became his hearers. The
which the praefect was disposed to punish severely. weaker side of his character was displayed in his
Gregory Nazianzen, the father, died in the year relations to Maximus, an ambitious hypocrite,
374, at the age of almost a hundred years, and his whose apparent sanctity and zeal for orthodoxy so
son pronounced over him a funeral oration, at which far imposed upon Gregory, that he pronounced a
his mother Nonna and his friend Basil were panegyrical oration upon him in his presence.
presenta (Orat. xix. ) He was now anxious to (Orat. xxii. ) Maximus soon after endeavoured, in
perform his purpose of laying down the bishopric, 380, to seize the episcopal chair of Constantinople,
but his friends prevailed on him to retain it for a but the people rose against him, and expelled him
time, though he never regarded himself as actually from the city. This and other troubles caused
bishop of Nazianzus, but merely as a temporary oc- Gregory to think of leaving Constantinople, but, at
cupant of the see (Epist. xlii. p. 804, lxv. p. 824, the entreaties of his people, he promised to remain
Curm. de Vito sua, p. 9, Orat. viii. p. 148). It is with them till other bishops should come to take
therefore an error of his disciple Jerome (Vir. charge of them. He retired home, however, for a
IUust. 117), and other writers, to speak of Gregory short time to refresh his spirit with the solitude he
as bishop of Nazianzus. From a discourse delivered loved.
about this time (Orat, ix,), we find that he was In November, 380, Theodosius arrived at Con-
still as averse from public life, and as fond of stantinople, and received Gregory with the highest
solitary meditation, as ever. He also began to favour, promising him his firm support. He com-
feel the infirmities of age, which his ascetic life had pelled the Arians to give up all the churches of the
brought upon him, though he was not yet fifty. city to the Catholics, and, in the midst of the im-
From these causes, and also, it would seem, in perial guards, Gregory entered the great church of
order to compel the bishops of Cappadocia to fill up Constantinople, by the side of Theodosius. The
the see of Nazianzus, he at last tied to Seleuceia, excessive cloudiness of the day was interpreted by
the capital of Isauria (A. D. 375), where he appears the Arians as a token of the Divine displeasure, but
## p. 313 (#329) ############################################
GREGORIUS.
313
GREGORIUS.
when, at the commencement of the service, the sun The former was tempered by sincere and humble
burst forth and filled the church with his light, all piety, and by a deep conviction of the benefits of
the orthodox accepted it as a sign from heaven, and moderation; the latter was aggravated by his
called out to the emperor to make Gregory bishop notions of philosophic quietism, and by his con
of Constantinople. The cry was with difficulty tinual encounters with difficulties above his strength.
appeased for the time, and shortly afterwards Gre- He was a perfectly honest man. His mind, though
gory was compelled to accept the office. As the highly cultivated, was of no great power. His
lread of the orthodox party, Gregory used their pocms are not above mediocrity, and his discourses,
victory with a healing moderation, at least accord- though sometimes really eloquent, are generally
ing to the ideas of his time, for the suppression of nothing more than favourable specimens of the
the public worship of the heretics by the edicts of rhetoric of the schools. He is more earnest than
Theodosius was not regarded by him as an act of Chrysostom, but not so ornamental. He is more
persecution. On the other hand, many of the artificial, but also, in spirit, more attractive, than
Arians regarded him with the deepest enmity, and Basil. Biblical theology has gained but little from
he relates a romantic story of an assassin, who either of these writers, whose chief aim was to
came with other visitors into his room, but was explain and enforce the dogmas of the Catholic
conscience-stricken, and confessed his guilt: Gre church.
gory dismissed him with his benediction. The The works of Gregory Nazianzen are, 1. Orar
affairs of the church were administered by him tions or Sermons ; 2. Letters ; 3. Poems ; 4. His
with diligence and integrity, and he paid no more Will.
court to the emperor than the etiquette of his rank The following are the most important editions of
required. Several of his sermons belong to the the works of Gregory Nazianzen:-An editio prin-
year of his patriarchate.
ceps, Basil. 1550, folio, containing the Greek text,
At the beginning of the year 381, Theodosius and the lives of Gregory by Suidas, Sophronius,
convoked the celebrated council of Constantinople, and Gregory the presbyter. A Latin version was
the second of the oecumenical councils. One of its published at the same place and time, in a separate
earliest acts was to confirm Gregory in the patri- volume. 2. Morell's edition, after the text of
archate of Constantinople, and soon after, in con- Billius, 2 vols. fol. Paris. 1609-1611; a new and
sequence of the sudden death of Meletius, he becanie improved edition, 1630; a careless reprint, Colon.
president of the council. He soon found, however, (Lips. ), 1690. 3. Another edition, after Billius,
that he had not the power to rule it. He was by Tollius and Muratorius, Venet. 1753. 4. The
too good and moderate, perhaps also too weak and Benedictine edition, of which only the first volume
indolent, to govern a general council in that age. was published: it was commenced by Louvart,
His health also was very infirm. He gradually continued by Maron, and finished by Clemencet.
withdrew himself from the sittings of the council, It contains only the discourses, preceded by an
and showed a disposition to lay down his bishopric. excellent life of Gregory, Paris. 1778. The dis-
His chief opponents, the Egyptian and Macedonian courses are placed in a new order by Clemencet.
bishops, seized the opportunity to attack him, on The numbers used in this article are those of Bil-
the ground that he could not hold the bishopric of lius.
The edition of Billius only contains a part of
Constantinople, as he was already bishop of Na- Gregory's poems. The principal edition of the
zianzus, and the church did not permit translations. remainder is by Tollius, under the title of Car-
Upon this he gladly resigned his office. His re- mina Cygnea, in his Insignia Itinerarii Italii,
signation was accepted without hesitation by the Traj. ad Rhen. 1696, 4to. , reprinted, 1709.
council and the emperor, and he took leave of the Muratori further discovered several of Gregory's
people of Constantinople in a discourse which is epigrams, which he published in his Anecdota
the noblest effort of his eloquence. He returned Graeca, Patav. 1709, 410. These epigrams form a
to Cappadocia, and, the course of his journey lead- part of the Palatine Anthology, and are published
ing him to Caesareia, he there delivered his ad- more accurately in Jacobs's edition of the Palatine
mirable funeral oration upon Basil. Finding the Anthology, b. viii, vol. i. pp. 539—604; and in
bishopric of Nazianzus still vacant, he discharged Boissonade's Poet. Graec. Sylloge, Paris, 1824,
its duties until, in the following year, 383, he &c. There are many other editions of parts of his
found a suitable successor in his cousin Eulalius. works. (The authorities for Gregory's life, besides
He now finally retired to his long-sought solitude, those already quoted, are the lives of him by
at his paternal estate at Arianzus, where the enjoy- Nicetas and by Gregory the presbyter, the Eccle-
ment of quiet philosophical meditation was mingled siustical Histories of Socrates and Sozomen, the
with the review of his past life, which he recorded works of Baronius, Tillemont, Fleury, Du Pin,
in an lambic poem. This work breathes a spirit Lardner, Le Clerc; Cave, Hish. Lit. vol. i. p. 246;
of contentment, derived from an approving con- Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol viii. p. 383; Schröckh,
science, but not unmixed with complaints of the Christliche Kirchengeschichte, vol. xiii. p. 268 ; Ull-
ingratitude and disappointment which he had en- mann, Gregorius von Nazianz, der Theologe, ein
countered in the discharge of duties be had never Beitrag zur Kirchen und Dogmengeschichte des
sought, and lamentations over the evil times on vierten Jahrhunderts, Darmst. 1825, 8vo. ; Hoff-
which he had fallen. He draws a melancholy mann, Lexicon Bibliographicum Scriptorum Grae-
picture of the character of the clergy of his time, corum. )
[P. S. )
derived chiefly from his experience of the council GRÉGO'RIUS NYSSE'NUS, ST. , bishop of
of Constantinople. He also wrote other poems, and Nyssa, in Cappadocia, and a father of the Greek
several letters, in his retirement. He died in 389 church, was the younger brother of Basil the Great.
or 390. After the account given of his life, little He was born at Caesareia, in Cappadocia, in or
remains to be said of his character. His natural soon after A. D. 331. Though we have no express
disposition partook of the two qualities, which are account of his education, there is no doubt that,
often found united, impetuosity and indolence. I like his brothers, it was the best that the Roman
## p. 314 (#330) ############################################
314
GREGORIUS.
GREGORIUS.
anzen.
empire could furnish. Like his brother also, he came the pupil and the convert of Origen, about
formed an early friendship with Gregory Nazi- 1. D. 234. At the end of five years, during which
He did not, however, share in their reli- Origen instructed him in logic, physics, mathema-
gious views; but, having been appointed a reader tics, ethics, and the whole circle of philosophy, as
in some church, he abandoned the office, and be well as in the Christian faith and biblical science,
came a teacher of rhetoric. Gregory Nazianzen Gregory returned to his native place, where he
remonstrated with him on this step by letter (Epist. soon received a letter from Origen, persuading him
43), and ultimately he became a minister of the to become a minister of the church. Gregory, how-
church, being ordained by his brother Basil to the ever, withdrew into the wilderness, whithar he
bishopric of Nyssa, a small place in Cappadocian was followed by Phaedimns, bishop of Amaseia,
about A. D. 372. As a pillar of orthodoxy, he was who wished to ordain him to the bishopric of Neo
only inferior to his brother and his friend. The caesareia. Gregory for a long time succeeded in
Arians persecuted him; and at last upon a frivo- evading the search of Phaedimus, who at last, in
lous accusation, drove him into banishment, A. D. Gregory's absence, performed the ceremony of his
375, from which, on the death of Valens, he was ordination, just as if he had been present. Upon
recalled by Gratian, A. D. 378. In the following this Gregory came from his hiding place, and under-
year he was present at the synod of Antioch ; and took the office, in the discharge of which he was so
after visiting his dying sister, Macrina, in Pontus successful, that whereas, when he became bishop,
[Basilius), he went into Arabia, having been there were only seventeen Christians in the city,
commissioned by the synod of Antioch to inspect at his death there were only seventeen persons
the churches of that country. From this tour he who were not Christians, notwithstanding the two
returned in 380 or 381, visiting Jerusalem in his calamities of the Decian persecution, about A. D.
way. The state of religion and morality there 250, and the invasion of the northern barbarians,
greatly shocked him, and he expressed his feelings about A. D. 260, from which the church of Neo-
in a letter against the pilgrimage to the holy city. caesareia suffered severely during his bishopric.
In 381 he went to the oecumenical council of Con- In the Decian persecution he fled into the wilder-
stantinople, taking with him his great work against ness, not, as it really appears, from fear, but to
the Arian Eunomius, which he read before Gregory preserve his life for the sake of his flock. He was
Nazianzen and Jerome. In the council he took a a warm champion of orthodoxy, and sat in the
very active part, and he had a principal share in council which was held at Antioch in a. D. 265, to
the composition of the creed, by which the Catholic inquire into the heresies of Paul of Samosata. He
doctrine respecting the Holy Ghost was added to died not long afterwards. The very probable
the Nicene Creed. On the death of Meletius, the emendation of Kuster to Suidas, substituting the
first president of the council, Gregory was chosen name of Aurelian for that of Julian, would bring
to deliver his funeral oration.
down his life to A. D. 270.
He was present at the second council of Con- This is not the place to inquire into the miracles
stantinople in 394, and probably died shortly after which are said to have been performed by Gregory
wards. He was married, though he afterwards at every step of his life. One example of them
adopted the prevailing views of his time in favour is sufficient. On his journey from the wilder-
of the celibacy of the clergy. His wife's name was ness to his see he spent a night in a heathen
Theosebeia.
temple. The mere presence of the holy man er-
The reputation of Gregory Nyssen with the orcised the demons, so that, when the Pagan priest
ancients was only inferior to that of his brother, came in the morning to perform the usual service,
and to that of Gregory Nazianzen. (See especially he could obtain no sign of the presence of his divi-
Phot. Cod. 6. ) Like them, he was an eminent nities. Enraged at Gregory, he threatened to take
rhetorician, but his oratory often offends by its ex- him before the magistrates; but soon, seeing the
travagance. His theology bears strong marks of calmness of the saint, his anger was turned to ad-
the influence of the writings of Origen.
miration and faith, and he besought Gregory, as a
His works may be divided into: 1. Treatises further proof of his power, to cause the demons to
on doctrinal theology, chiefly, but not entirely, return. The wonder-worker consented, and laid
relating to the Arian controversy, and including upon the altar a piece of paper, on which he had
also works against the Appollinarists and the Mani-written, “ Gregory to Satan:- Enter. ” The ac-
chaeans. 2. Treatises on the practical duties of customed rites were performed, and the presence of
Christianity. 3. Sermons and Orations. 4. Letters. the demons was manifested. The result was the
5. Biographies. The only complete edition of conversion of the Pagan priest, who became a dea-
Gregory Nyssen is that of Morell and Gretser, con of Neocaesareia, and the most faithful follower of
2 vols. fol. Paris, 1615-1618 ; reprinted 1638. the bishop. The following are the genuine works
There are several editions of his separate works. of Gregory Thaumaturgus :- 1. Panegyricus aul
(Lardner's Credibility; Care, Hist. Lit. vol. i. p. Origenem, a discourse delivered when he was about
244; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. ix. p. 98; Schröckh, to quit the school Origen. 2. Metaphrasis in
Christliche Kirchengeschichte, vol. xiv. ; F. Rupp, Ecclesiasten. 3. Expositio Fidei, a creed of the
Gregors von Nyssa Leben und Meinungen, Leipz. doctrine of the Trinity. 4. Epistola canonica, de
1834, 8vo. ; Hoffmann, Lexicon Bibliograph. Script. us, qui in Barbarorum Incursione idolothyta come-
Graec. )
[P. S. ] derant, an epistle in which he describes the penances
GREGO'RIUS THAUMATURGUS, to be required of those converts who had relapsed
THEODOʻRUS, ST. , received the surname off into heathenism through the fear of death, and
Thaumaturgus from his miracles. He was a native who desired to be restored to the church. 4.
of Neocaesareia in Cappadocia, and the son of Other Letters. The other works ascribed to him
heathen parents. He pursued his studies, chiefly are either spurious or doubtful.
in Roman law, at Alexandria, Athens, Berytus, The following are the editions of Gregory's
and finally at Caesareia in Palestine, where he be- / works:--1. That of Gerardus Vossius, Greek and
or
## p. 315 (#331) ############################################
GRYNEUS.
315
GULUSSA.
a
itin, Lips. 1604, 4to. 2. The Paris edition, in under which he had a temple, an ancient omcle,
Greek and Latin, which also contains the works of and a beautiful grove near the town of Grynion,
Macarius and Basil of Seleuceia, 1622, fol. 3. In Gryna, or Grynus in Aeolis in Asia Minor. (Paus.
Gallandii Biblioth. Patrum, Paris, 1788, folio. i. 21. § 9 ; Serv. ad Virg. Eclog. vi. 72; Athen.
There are several editions of his separate works. iv. p. 149 ; Steph. Byz. s. o. Spúvol. ) Under the
(Gregorius Nyssen. Vil. S. Greg. Thaum. ; Suid. similar, if not the same name, Spureus, Apollo was
8. o. ; the ancient ecclesiastical historians; Lard- worshipped in the Hecatonnesi. (Strab. xiii. p.
ner's Credibüity; Cave, Hist. Lit. sub. ann.
