Gregory of Nazianzus
Also: Gregory the Theologian, Gregory Nazianzen
Born probably between 325 and 330, probably in Arianzus (near Sivrihisar, Aksaray province, Turkey). Died probably between 389 and 390, probably in Arianzus (near Sivrihisar, Aksaray province, Turkey).
A Cappadocian Father, a friend of Basil, and for a short time bishop of Constantinople. His five Theological Orations set out the doctrine of the Trinity.
Wrote in Greek. A major author.
Places lived
- 348 to 358Athenae (now Athens, Greece)studiedyears probableBefore Athens he studied at Caesarea in Cappadocia, Caesarea in Palestine and Alexandria.
- 359 to 375Nazianzus (now Bekarlar, Nenezi, Aksaray province, Turkey)priest, helper of his father the bishopyears probableHe was made bishop of Sasima in 372 and never lived there.
- 375 to 379Seleucia (Isauria), now Silifke, Turkeyretreatyears probable
- 379 to 381Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)bishop
- 381 to 383Nazianzus (now Bekarlar, Nenezi, Aksaray province, Turkey)bishop in chargeyears probable
- 383 to 390Arianzus (near Sivrihisar, Aksaray province, Turkey)retired, wrote poemsyears probable
Works
4 works, in the order they were written. 3 works can be read here.
- LettersAbout 240 letters, with the three "theological letters" against Apollinaris.57,616 words
- OrationsForty-five speeches: sermons for feasts, praises of the dead, and defences of his own acts.224,957 words
- PoemsAbout 17,000 lines of verse, with the long poem on his own life.not yet on the site
- Five Theological OrationsFive speeches on God, the Son and the Spirit that gave him the name "the Theologian".43,448 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born probable
- The usual date is 329 or 330; some argue for about 326. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Gregory of Nazianzus'.
- Place of birth probable
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life; the family estate was at Arianzus near Nazianzus
- Died probable
- Jerome, On Illustrious Men 117 (written 392 or 393: he died about three years before)
- Place of death probable
- Gregory, Letters and poems of his last years; his will
- Athenae, years probable
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 211 to 264; Oration 43.14 to 43.24
- Athenae, place sure
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 211 to 264; Oration 43.14 to 43.24
- Nazianzus, years probable
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 337 to 546; Orations 1, 2 and 12
- Nazianzus, place sure
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 337 to 546; Orations 1, 2 and 12
- Seleucia (Isauria), years probable
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 547 to 551
- Seleucia (Isauria), place sure
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 547 to 551
- Constantinopolis, years sure
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 583 to 1918; Socrates, Church History 5.6 to 5.8
- Constantinopolis, place sure
- Gregory, Poem on His Own Life 583 to 1918; Socrates, Church History 5.6 to 5.8
- Nazianzus, years probable
- Gregory, Letters 138, 139 and 182
- Nazianzus, place sure
- Gregory, Letters 138, 139 and 182
- Arianzus, years probable
- Gregory, Letters of 383 to 389; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 117
- Arianzus, place sure
- Gregory, Letters of 383 to 389; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 117