Good morning, Digital Neighbors!

          This morning one of my favorite ancient authors penned the second reading in the Office.  St. Gregory of Nazianzus was a priest and patriarch of the fourth century.  Known by our Eastern brother and sister as the Theologian, he helped further articulate the mystery of the Trinity and is called Gregory the Theologian.  He was a brilliant theologian, poet, and preacher.

          While many desired worldly fame, power and the influence that comes with it, Gregory did not. His passion was in his preaching and writing in celebration of the faith proclaimed at Nicaea. He bears the title Divine in the East because of his constant clarity on the mystery of God’s Triune uniqueness.  His appointment to bishop and then Patriarch of Constantinople where all acts others did and not the striving or desire of Gregory.  Administration and all the politics that came with it were not in his heart, he was first a foremost a teacher.  In short, he spent only three years as Patriarch and then resigned, never able to quell the unrest in the city between the Arians and the Orthodox.  The city and its politics and intrigues were a constant drain on his person.  He spent the remaining decade of his life back in Nazianz in retirement as a writer and director of souls. While others might have thought him a failure, he never seems to have let that define him.  He was a disciple of Christ and an illuminator of Divine Mystery of the Trinity. 

Some links on him below as well as his words of wisdom to follow.  Have a great day digital neighbor.  Enjoy Gregory’s preaching on mercy.

https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gregory_the_Theologian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nazianzus