Gregory of Nazianzus: Three Poems
Overview
Raised in a multi-generational Christian family, Gregory of Nazianzus was also well-educated, well-traveled, and tutored in almost every discipline of the Greek arts, philosophies, sciences, and literatures. Among his studies must have included Homer, Hesiod, Apollonius of Rhodes, Thucydides, Plutarch, Herodotus, Lucian, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—the list goes on. The numerous poems written by Gregory had a profound influence over Byzantine hymnology, although, beyond that, they largely provide a treasure trove of autobiographical and historical data. The poem Concerning His Own Life is the earliest known Christian autobiography, and probably had a direct influence on Augustine’s Confessions.
Key Features
- Contains translations of Gregory of Nazianzus’ poems
- Presents an early Christian autobiography
- Includes an introduction with background on the author and era
Contents
- Concerning His Own Affairs
- Concerning Himself and the Bishops
- Concerning His Own Life
Top Highlights
“Part of my philosophy was this: not just to seem concerned about the higher life, to be rather than to seem a friend of God. Consequently I took the view that people living the active life, [325] too, deserve our love. They receive their measure of honor from God because they lead people by means of the divine mysteries. Still, however much I seemed involved with people, I was possessed by a greater longing for monastic life, which I regarded as a matter of interior dispositions, not of physical situation. [330] For the sanctuary I had reverence, but from a good distance, the effect being that of sunlight upon weak eyes.” (Page 86)
“A priest should have one function and one only, the sanctification of souls by his life and teaching. He should raise them towards the heights by heavenly impulses. He should be serene, [755] high-minded, reflecting like a mirror the godly and unspotted images that he has inside. For his flock he should send up holy offerings, until the day when he, too, shall perfect them into an offering. Other matters he should relinquish to those skilled in them. [760] It is on such terms that our lives could become secure.” (Page 72)
“All the time I kept telling the bishops about the situation, begging them from the bottom of my heart to appoint some bishop to the town. [540] Two points I kept making with absolute truth: that I had not been allotted any church by formal decree, and secondly that I had long made up my mind to get away from friends and from mundane affairs.” (Page 92)
“A non-believer, however, has only one yardstick for measuring the quality of religious faith, good reputation. He may not take the slightest reckoning of his own shortcomings, but he is a stringent critic of yours. [535] And, tell me, how can we set up in his eyes a reputation other than the one we had before?” (Page 65)
- Title: Saint Gregory of Nazianzus: Three Poems: Concerning His Own Affairs, Concerning Himself and the Bishops, Concerning His Own Life
- Author: Gregory of Nazianzus
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 75
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 1987
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 154
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Gregory, of Nazianzus, Saint › Translations into English; Council of Constantinople (1st : 381 : Constantinople) › Poetry; Christian poetry, Greek › Translations into English; Cappadocian Fathers › Biography--Poetry
- ISBNs: 081320075, 0813213053, 9780813213057
- Resource ID: LLS:THREEPOEMS
- Resource Type: text.monograph.poetry
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:01:40Z