St. Gregory who, on account of his great knowledge in Sacred science, is surnamed the Theologian, was born at nαzιanzum, in the year 300. His father, whose name was also Gregory, his mother, Nonna, his brother Caesarius, and Gorgonia, his sister, are all honored as Saints. At Athens, where St. Gregory devoted himself to study, he became acquainted with St. Basil who had made his home there with the same intention. They became most intimate friends, as both were virtuous and diligent. They secluded themselves from all frivolous young men, shunned gaming, idleness, and other vices of youth, cultivating only piety and knowledge. They knew of only two roads, one of which led to school, the other to church. After having finished his studies, Basil returned to his home, but Gregory remained and studied eloquence, in which he was in after years unsurpassed. At that time also, Julian studied at Athens, who afterwards became Emperor and was called the Apostate. In regard to the manners and behavior of this prince, St. Gregory said at that time; "Oh what a monster the Roman Empire nourishes in its bosom!" At the same time he predicted, that if Julian should ever wear the imperial crown, he would become the great enemy and persecutor of Christendom, which unhappily became true. After several years, St.Gregory left Athens and returned to his native place. One day, while studying, he was overtaken by sleep, and it appeared to him that he saw two beautiful virgins who came as if wishing to speak to him. He asked who they were and what they desired. "One of us," they answered, "is chastity, the other wisdom. God has sent us to be your friends and remain constantly with you." His life proved that this vision was no empty dream. Gregory preserved his chastity inviolable, and was endowed by the Almighty with such wisdom, that on account of it he became celebrated throughout the whole world. Great men, among whom was St. Jerome, often travelled many miles to hear him speak. Having been ordained priest, he went secretly to St. Basil, who had retired to the desert of Pontus. There they lived in the greatest harmony, but, at the same time, in the greatest rigor: occupied only in prayer and in studying the holy Scriptures.

After the lapse of some years, St. Gregory returned again to his home, to bring back to the true faith his father who, not out of wickedness, but out of simplicity and ignorance, had been deluded by the Arians. Gregory happily extricated him from his error and brought him to the true faith. Meanwhile Basil became Bishop of Caesarea, and most earnestly requested Gregory to take the small bishopric of Sasima, as the far spreading heresy demanded a strong opposition. Gregory allowed himself to be prevailed upon and accepted the See. When, however, another one came who asserted that the office was his, he gave place to him and retired. They wished him afterwards to take charge of the church at nαzιanzum, but he arranged matters in such a manner that they chose some one else. He, however, did not succeeed so well in Constantinople. He had gone thither to oppose the heretics, who had filled the whole city with their poison, to defend the Catholic faith and teach its doctrines to the people. After he had labored there some time with great success, Peter, patriarch of Alexandria, nominated him patriarch of Constantinople, and Gregory was obliged to take this heavy burden. All his thoughts were now directed to exterminate heresy, and to restore the ancient prestige of the church. The Catholics had at that time only one church where they assembled, the heretics having taken possession of all the others. St. Gregory, however, so brought it about that the newly chosen Emperor Theodosius came himself to Constantinople and gave the cathedral back to the Catholics, although the heretics opposed it with all their power. This enraged the latter to such a degree that they hired a villain to αssαssιnαtҽ the patriarch. The Saint was sick in bed when the murderer came under the pretext of visiting him. As he, however, was alone with him and therefore had every opportunity of committing the crime, God suddenly changed his heart, and falling at the feet of the Saint, he confessed his wicked intention and asked forgiveness. The Saint said; "May God, who protected me, forgive you; I ask you nothing but that you forsake your heresy." Much more had he to suffer from the heretics, but it in no wise slackened his zeal. The Catholics also gave him just cause of complaint.

Among the bishops assembled in council a dispute arose concerning the validity of Gregory's election. The Saint represented to them that he had not in any manner sought the office, but that it had been forced upon him against his desire; perceiving, however, that all were not satisfied with his explanation, and fearing that the peace of the church might be materially endangered to the detriment of the whole Christian community, he arose and addressed the assemblage in the following manner: "Dear colleagues, and joint-shepherds of the flock of Christ; it would be very unbecoming to your dignity, should you, whose office it is to exhort others to peace, become disunited among yourselves: Am I the cause of your discord? Behold, I am not better than the prophet Jonas; cast me, therefore, into the sea and the tempest will be calmed. Although I am innocent of your charges, I will suffer without a murmur, that unanimity may be restored among you." After having thus spoken calmly and sweetly, he took leave of all present and went to the Emperor, whom he acquainted with his resolution to leave Constantinople. The Emperor at first refused his consent, but the Saint knew so well how to represent to him his reasons, that he at last gave him the desired permission. He immediately made all the necessary preparations for his departure, but once more ascended the pulpit of his Episcopal Church, and in a last discourse took leave of all the assembled faithful, as also of all the other churches, hospitals and asylums of the city. To those who had frequently complained of his sermons because he unhesitatingly denounced their vices, he said: "Now joyfully clap your hands and cry that the bad, talkative tongue will cease to strike you; yes, it will cease; but the hand still remains, and pen and ink must in future sustain the combat." Finally, he admonished them all to lead a Christian life, and concluded his sermon with these words: "I exhort you, my dear children, to keep my instructions in your hearts. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, remain with you all. Amen!"

How deeply affected all his hearers were, was plainly perceived by their tears and their emotion. Well had they reason to be grieved, for they had possessed in St. Gregory a most tender father for their needy widows and orphans, an invincible protector of their faith, a teacher whom God had gifted with unusual wisdom, a careful, never weary pastor, and almost perfect model of all virtue. They tried in every possible way to prevent his leaving, but he was not to be persuaded to change his resolution, but went on board the ship, which was ready to set sail and returned to his home. On his arrival, he settled himself upon his parental estate, Arianzum, with the intention of then passing the remainder of his life in solitude, and in the exercise of virtue.

This intention he carried out, and prayers and devout meditation were his greatest comfort, until, failing health owing to excessive labor, besides old age and sickness, kept him for the greater part of the time in bed. Sometimes, however, he took the pen in hand and wrote several works to confute the doctrine of the heretics, and to strengthen and confirm the Catholics. God permitted that the holy man, who had lived until now so pious and pure a life, should endure most fearful temptations from the Evil One. Constant calling on God, austere fasting prayers, reading devout books and severe study, were the weapons he used against the enemy of man, and he always conquered. The Most High also permitted that some men, envious and devoid of conscience, should calumniate the Saint everywhere and even falsely accuse him of some great crimes to the Bishop of Tianea. The holy man was not angry, but, while defending his honor, prayed God to bestow His grace upon his enemies and to pardon them. Omitting much that might still be related of this Saint, I will only mention one instance of his solicitude to avoid sin and to do penance. He thought that he had spoken in a certain affair more than was necessary, and punished himself by remaining forty days without uttering a single word to any one.

At length he expired happily, in the 90th year of his age, having labored and suffered much for the honor of the Almighty and the protection of the true church.


Practical Considerations

St. Gregory punished himself for a trifling fault which he had committed in speaking, by remaining forty days without uttering a single word. You perhaps daily commit many more and much greater faults in speaking. You may have a habit of indulging in the vices of lying, swearing, slandering, &c. Although you confess these sins, you do not reform. Perhaps you even excuse them, as "only a habit." But do you suppose that this excuse will one day justify you before God?

Do not deceive yourself, because it is already too horrible that you possess such evil habits. I am certain that if your neighbors were daily to abuse and vilify you, with the excuse that it was only a habit, you would not be pleased. Again, you ought to know that a man, who has a bad habit, is in duty bound to use every means to correct it, as otherwise he lives in continual sin. The most effective means to be used are, that you punish yourself for the'wrong you have done during the day. At night, before you lie down, reflect how often you have done wrong in one point or another, repent of your faults, and pray God to forgive you. Impose on yourself a penance. Recite, for instance, as many Ave Marias or repentantly beat your breast as often as you have done wrong, and make good resolutions to be more guarded on the following day. Use these means, and you will soon become convinced of their efficacy.

St. Gregory resigned his Episcopal See that peace and unity might remain among the bishops, and that he might not be the occasion of strife and contention. A true Christian, whose distinguishing feature ought to be charity, will always endeavor to preserve peace and unity. Strife and contention ought to be far from him, because they occasion many and great evils. "Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins" Eccles. (xxviii.). You will prevent others also from many sins. "Whoever loves contention," says St. Lawrence Justinian, "destroys brotherly love and occasions hatred and enmity." Hence St. Paul writes: "The servant of the Lord must not wrangle" (II. Timothy ii.). It depends entirely on our own self-control; on our conquering the anger which incites us to contention. Should, however, another provoke a quarrel, we must not meet him with unkind, but with mild words; for the teaching of the Holy Ghost is true: "A mild answer breaketh wrath, but a harsh word stirreth up fury" (Prov. xv.).

The most effectual means for this is to avoid an angry man, or to listen quietly to his words, and answer nothing. If you insist on being in the right, or desire to have the last word, like the other; if you do not restrain your tongue, but meet him with invectives, his anger will increase, and the quarrel will not soon terminate. "Oppose the anger of your neighbor, if you are able," writes St. Ambrose; "but if you are not able so to do, yield and give way: for it is written: 'Avoid those in anger' Jacob yielded to his angry brother and therefore found great grace with God." And St. Chrysostom writes: "It is far easier to subdue and conquer an angry person by silence and yielding, than by answering." Implant this instruction deeply in your heart, and regulate your conduct accordingly.

Side by side with Athanasius, a second Doctor of the Church comes forward, at this glad Season, offering to the Risen Jesus the tribute of his learning and eloquence. It is Gregory of nαzιanzum, the friend of Basil; the great Orator; the admirable Poet, whose style combines energy of thought with a remarkable richness and ease of expression; the one among all the Gregories who has merited and received the glorious name of Theologian, on account of the soundness of his teachings, the sublimity of his ideas, and the magnificence of his diction. Holy Church exults at being able to offer us so grand a Saint during Easter Time, for no one has spoken more eloquently than he on the Mystery of the Pasch. Let us listen to the commencement of his second Sermon for Easter; and then judge for ourselves.

I will stand upon my watch, says the admirable Prophet Habacuc (Hab. ii.1). I, also, on this day, will imitate him; I will stand on the power and knowledge granted me by the favor of the Holy Ghost, that I may consider and know what is to be seen, and what will be told unto me. And I stood and I watched: and lo! a man ascending to the clouds; and he was of exceeding high stature, and his face was the face of an Angel, and his garment was dazzling as a flash of lightning. And he lifted up his hand towards the East, and cried out with a loud voice. His voice was as the voice of a trumpet, and around him stood, as it were, a multitude of the heavenly host, and he said: 'Today is salvation given to both the visible and the invisible world. Christ hath risen from the dead: do ye also rise. Christ hath returned to Himself: do ye also return. Christ hath freed Himself from the Tomb: be ye set free from the bonds of sin. The gates of hell are opened, and death is crushed; the old Adam is laid aside, and the new one is created. Oh! if there be a new creature formed in Christ, be ye made new!'

Thus did he speak. Then did the other Angels repeat the Hymn they first sang when Christ was born on this earth, and appeared to us men: Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth, in men of good will! I join my voice with them, and speak these things to you: oh! that I could have an Angel's voice, to make myself heard throughout the whole earth!

It is the Pasch of the Lord! the Pasch! in honor of the Trinity, I say it a third time: the Pasch! This is our Feast of Feasts, our Solemnity of Solemnities. It is as far above all the rest, not only of those which are human and earthly, but of those even which belong to Christ and are celebrated on his account, yea, it as far surpasses them all, as the sun surpasses the stars. Commencing with yesterday, how grand was the Day, with its torches and lights! * * But how grander and brighter is all on this morning! Yesterday's light was but the harbinger of the great Light that was to rise; it was but as foretaste of the joy that was to be given to us. But today, we are celebrating the Resurrection itself, not merely in hope, but as actually risen, and drawing the whole earth to itself (Oraiio II. in sanctum, Pascha).

This is a sample of the fervid eloquence, wherewith our Saint preached the Mysteries of Faith. He was a man of retirement and contemplation. The troubles of the world, in which he had been compelled to live, damped his spirits; the duplicity and wickedness of men fretted his noble heart; and leaving to another the perilous honor of the See of Constantinople, which he had reluctantly accepted a very short time previously, he flew back to his dear solitude, there to enjoy his God and the study of holy things. And yet, during the short period of his Episcopal government, notwithstanding all the obstacles that stood in his way, he confirmed the Faith that had been shaken, and left behind him a track of light, which continued even to the time when St. John Chrysostom was chosen to fill the troubled Chair of Byzantium.



Gregory, a Cappadocian nobleman, surnamed the Theologian, on account of his extraordinary learning in the sacred sciences, was born at nαzιanzum in Cappadocia. He, together with St. Basil, went through a complete course of studies at Athens; after which, he applied himself to the study of the Sacred Scriptures. The two friends retired to a monastery ,where they spent several years over the Scripture, interpreting it not according to their own views, but by the sense and authority of the earlier Fathers. Owing to their reputation for learning and virtue, they were called to the ministry of preaching the Gospel, and became the spiritual Fathers of many souls.

After Gregory had returned home, he was made Bishop of Sasima, and afterwards administered the Church of nαzιanzum. Being called, later on, to govern the Church of Constantinople, which was infected with heresy, he converted it to the Catholic Faith. This success, far from gaining him everyone's love, excited the envy of a great many. This caused a great division among the Bishops, which led the Saint to resign his See. He said to them those words of the Prophet: "If this tempest be stirred up on my account, cast me into the sea, that you may cease to be tossed." Whereupon he returned to nαzιanzum; and, having got Eulalius made Bishop of that Church, he devoted his whole time to the contemplation of divine things, and to the writing treatises upon them.

He wrote much, both in prose and verse; and in all, there is admirable piety and eloquence. In the opinion of learned and holy men, there is nothing to be found in his writings which is not conformable to true piety and Catholic truth, or which anyone could reasonably call in question. He was a most vigorous defender of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God. No one ever led a more saintly life than he; no one was to be compared to him for eloquence. He led the life of a monk, spending his whole time in solitude, occupied in writing and reading. Having reached a venerable old age, he died during the reign of the emperor Theodosius, and entered into the blessed life of heaven.



Let us celebrate the praises of the prince of Pontiffs, the great Doctor of the Church of Christ, the loud pealing organ, the well-tuned harp, the harmonious and sweet-sounding lute; and let us thus sing: Hail, O abyss of divine grace! Hail, Gregory, Father of fathers, whose spirit sublimely soared in heavenly thoughts!

With what hymns and canticles shall we praise thee, who wast as an Angel, leading on earth a superhuman life? Thou wast the herald of the Word of God, the friend of the chaste Virgin, companion of the Apostolic choir, the glorious ornament of the Martyrs and Saints, the fervent adorer of the Eternal Trinity, O most holy and most worthy Priest!

O ye Faithful! let us, assembled now together, honor, in sacred hymns, the prince of Pontiffs, the glory of Patriarchs, the interpreter of the dogmas and thoughts of Christ, the most sublime mind; let us thus address him: Hail, fount of Theology, river of wisdom, and source of the knowledge of divine things! Hail, most bright star, that enlightenest the whole world by thy doctrine! Hail, powerful defender of piety, and generous opponent of impiety!

Thou, O father Gregory, didst wisely shun the dangers and snares of the flesh: and, ascending to the midst of heaven on a chariot of four virtues, thou soaredst to beauty ineffable. Now art thou replete with it; thou rejoicest in it, and obtainest for us peace and great mercy.

Opening thy mouth to receive the Word of God, thou didst draw in the Spirit of wisdom; and, full of grace, thou soundest forth the divine dogmas, O thrice blessed Gregory! Initiated into Angelic Powers, thou preachedst the Triple and Undivided Light. Illumined, therefore, by thy sublime teachings, we adore the Trinity, in which we confess one Godhead, that thus we may obtain the salvation of our souls.

Thou, O divinely inspired Gregory, didst, with thy tongue of fire, burn to naught the captious formulas of the heretics that fought against the Lord. Thou appearedst as a man with lips divine, speaking, in the Spirit, the wondrous works of God, and showing us, in thy Writings, the one same power and substance of the hidden and mysterious Trinity. Thou, as a triple Sunlight, enlightenedst this terrestial globe; and now thou ceaselessly intercedest for our souls.

Hail, river of God, ever full of the waters of grace, and gladdening the whole city of Christ the King with thy sublime words and teachings! Hail torrent of delight, exhaustless sea, faithful and just guardian of doctrine, most vigorous defender of the Trinity, organ of the Holy Spirit, mind ever watchful, tongue harmonious that explainest the profound mysteries of the Scriptures! Pray now to Christ, that He grant His great mercy unto our souls.

Thou ascendedst the mount of virtues, renouncing all things earthly, and holding no fellowship with dead works. There thou receivedst the tables written with God's own hand, the most pure dogmas of thy Theology, wherein thou teachest us heavenly mysteries, O most wise Gregory.

Thou lovedst the Wisdom of God and the beauty of his words; thou prizedst them above all the pleasures of earth. Therefore, O most blessed one, did the Lord wonderfully adorn thee with a diadem of graces, and choose thee as his own Theologian.

That thou mightest brightly enlighten thy mind with the light of the adorable Trinity, thou, O Father, didst polish it, making it spotless by thy perfect profession of every virtue, as a new and freshly formed mirror. The divine reflections fell upon thee, and thou wast an image most like unto God.

Thou wast as a second Samuel given by God, yea, given to God, before thy conception, O most blessed one! Thou wast adorned with prudence and temperance, and wast beautified with the most holy robe of the Pontificate, O Father! as a mediator between the Creator and creature.

Thou puttest thy venerable lips to the cup of Wisdom, O Father Gregory, drawing thence a divine stream of theology, and distributing it abundantly to the faithful, and, by the same, repelling the torrent of heresies, which was laying waste the land, and was teeming with blasphemy. For in thee, the Holy Ghost found a steersman, who drove back and quelled the bold attacks of the impious, which raged like furious storms of wind: thou proclaimedst the Trinity in Unity of substance.

Let us, the Sheep of the Church, celebrate, in holy hymns, the Harp of the Holy Spirit, the scythe of heresy, the favourite of the orthodox, the second disciple that leans on Jesus' Breast, the contemplator of the Word, the wise Arch-Pastor; and let us thus address him: Thou, O Gregory, art the good Shepherd, delivering thyself up for us, did Christ our Master. Now thou art joyously exulting together with Paul, and art interceding for our souls.

We salute thee, O glorious Doctor of the Church, on whom both East and West have conferred the title of Theologian! Illumined by the rays of the glorious Trinity, thou gavest us to share in the light thus imparted to thee, and a brighter was never granted to mortal eye. In thee was verified that saying of our Saviour: Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God (St. Matth. v. 8). The purity of thy soul prepared thee to receive the divine light, and thy inspired pen has transmitted to thy fellow-men something of thine own soul's enraptured knowledge. Obtain for us the gift of Faith, which puts the creature in communication with its God; obtain for us the gift of Understanding, which makes the creature relish what it believes. The object of all thy labours was to guard the Faithful against the seductive wiles of heresy, by putting before them the magnificence of the divine dogmas. Oh! pray for us, that we may avoid the snares of false doctrines, and have our eye ever fixed on the ineffable light of the Mysteries of Faith; for, as St. Peter tells us, it is as a lamp in a dark place, that shineth until the day dawn, and until the Day-Star arise in our hearts (II. St. Pet i. 19).

There now seems to be a gleam of hope for the East, that has been, for so many long ages, a prey to error and slavery. Great changes are preparing for the unfortunate Byzantium, and politicians are studying how to profit by the crisis, and make her the prey of their respective Governments. Canst thou forget the City, of which thou wast once the Pastor, and where thy name is still held in veneration? Oh! help her to throw off the shackles of schism and heresy. Her being a slave to the infidel is the punishment of her having revolted against the Vicar of Christ; this yoke seems about to be broken; pray, O Gregory, that the more dangerous and humiliating one of error and schism may also be broken. A movement of return to the truth has already begun to show itself. Whole provinces are awakening to a knowledge of their misery, and are casting a look of hope towards the common Mother of all Churches, who opens her arms to receive them. Aid this long-desired conversion, by thy prayers. Both East and West honour thee as one of the sublimest preachers of divine Truth; obtain, by thy powerful intercession, that East and West may be once more united in the one Fold, and under the one Shepherd, before our Risen Jesus returns to our earth to separate the cockle from the good seed, and lead back to heaven the Church, his Spouse and our Mother, out of whose pale there is no salvation.

Help us, during this Season, to contemplate the glories of our dearest Resuscitated. Oh! for something of the holy enthusiasm for this Pasch, which inebriated thee with its joys, and inspired thee with such glowing eloquence! Jesus, the Conqueror of Death, was the object of thy fervent affections even from thy childhood; and when old age came, thy heart beat with love for Him. Pray for us, that we, too, may persevere in His service; that His divine Mysteries may ever be our grandest joy; that this year's Pasch may ever abide in our souls; that the renovation it has brought us may be visible in the rest of our lives; and that it may, in each successive year of its return, find us attentive and eager to receive its graces, until the eternal Easter comes with its endless joy!

O Christ our Lord, strengthen the foundation of Thy Church. Let singleness of heart take deep root in us. Guide us in the way of godliness. Bestow on the clergy grace; to monks, give endurance; to virgins, purity; a good life give to those who are married; to those who are in penitence, give mercy; goodness, to the rich; meekness, to the humble; to the poor give aid; strengthen the aged, teach the converts, convert unbelievers; let devisions in the Church be healed. Destory the pride of heretics. Reckon us all among the pious.

Remember, O Lord, my poverty: forgive me my sins. The place where iniquity abounds, let Thy grace abound. Take not away from Thy people the grace of the Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us, O God our Savior; have mercy on us, O God our Savior; have mercy on us, O God our Savior; give to Thy poeple singleness of heart! Amen

He who asks God for a real favor (that is, for a favor that is necessary or useful for his salvation), obtains it, for God is bountiful and generous, and readily bestows His gifts.