The Fathers Speak: St Basil the Great, St Gregory of Nazianzus, St Gregory of Nyssa

by Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa

As we, Christians of the twenty first century, study the Fathers of the Church, their writings (often in an unreadable English produced by clumsy translators) appear to us as foreboding, verbose, and somewhat closed within a world where theological contemplation replaces everyday reality. The Greek Fathers in particular have this reputation among students because they wrote relatively little about themselves, about the details of their own lives and the circumstances of daily life. Here for the first time is an anthology of texts gathered almost exclusively from the personal correspondence between St Basil the Great, his close friend Gregory "the Theologian" and his younger brother Gregory of Nyssa. These three men appear to us as real human beings, reveal the substance of their Christian vocation, uncover the program of their spiritual life, unveil the intellectual background of their use of Greek philosophy at the service of Christian theology, and explain the meaning of their ministry as monastic leaders and bishops of the Church. Readers of this book will be able to contemplate the icons of these Fathers in a new way, with a fuller understanding of the human reality which appears iconographically transfigured in frescoes and mosaics. For indeed, it is their genuinely human response to divine love and grace which has made them into "Holy Fathers," into saints of the Church.

Genres: Theology, History, Christianity

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 1986

About the author

After 370, Christian leader Saint Basil, known as "the Great," Greek bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, vigorously opposed Arianism.

Arabic: باسيليوس الكبير
Greek: Μέγας Βασίλειος

People also call him of Mazaca in Asia Minor. He influenced as a 4th century theologian and monastic.

Theologically, Basil supported the Nicene faction of the church, not the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea on the other side. Ability to balance theological convictions with political connections made Basil a powerful advocate for the Nicene position.

In addition to work as a theologian, Basil cared for the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines, which focus on community, liturgical prayer, and manual labor for monastic life. People remember him, together with Pachomius, as a father of communal monasticism in east. The traditions of east and west consider him.

People refer collectively to Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa as the fathers. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholics gave the title of hierarch to Basil, together with Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom. The Catholic Church recognizes him as a doctor. The epithet "revealer of heavenly mysteries," sometimes refers to Basil.

Reviews

[Dionysi Krinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book which gives you an insight into the humanity of Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. It gives you some glimpses into the characteristics of their personalities along with their deep thoughts and contribution to the church in the 4th century.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a neat glimpse into the personal lives of the Cappadocian Fathers. It can be pretty boring to read at time. However, there are some gems in this book that would benefit many. One particular letter I remember was a letter by one of the Gregorys (I think Nyssa) about the perils of pilgrimages to Israel.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of letters between Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus in the early church. It covers everything from doctrine to monastic life. Really interesting!