Select Orations

by Gregory of Nazianzus

DESCRIPTIONThis volume presents nineteen orations by the fourth-century Cappadocian father Gregory of Nazianzus. Many of them appear here for the first time in English.

251 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Gregory of Nazianzus (Greek: Γρηγόριος ὁ Ναζιανζηνός Grēgorios ho Nazianzēnos; c. 329–25 January 390), also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, and theologian. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. As a classically trained orator and philosopher he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials.

Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek- and Latin-speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the "Trinitarian Theologian". Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Trinity. Along with the brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Gregory is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity. In the Roman Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church; in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.

He is also one of only three men in the life of the Orthodox Church who have been officially designated "Theologian" by epithet, the other two being St. John the Theologian (the Evangelist), and St. Symeon the New Theologian.

Reviews

[Phillip Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The funeral orations give insight into Gregory's oratory skills as he lauds fellows saints after their passing. Interestingly, he seems to hint that his father was part of the Christian fold, even at a time in life when he followed another religious sect, on account of his morality.

The theological orations are great reading for insight into the moral requirements of doing theology and working through the arguments for the divinity of the son. I think his oration on the Spirit is one of - if not the - first time that 'Theos' was used for the Spirit.

[Joel Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

very spiritually no theology if thats what ur looking for

[Tyson Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readable translation of all of the orations not found in the NPNF volume.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an orator! What a heart for God! I will be coming back to Orations 14, 24, and 44 again and again.