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Apostolic & Patristic · Saint
St Gregory of Nazianzus
Archbishop of Constantinople
Church FatherDoctor of the ChurchConfessor
c. 325 – 389
c. 361
Ordained
c. 372
Consecrated Bishop
Constantinople
Diocese
Turkey
Country
The Life
St Gregory of Nazianzus, called 'the Theologian,' was the second of the Cappadocian Fathers and briefly Archbishop of Constantinople. A master rhetorician and contemplative, he was reluctantly drawn into the front line of the Arian struggle.
Summoned to lead the orthodox remnant in Constantinople in 379, he preached the Five Theological Orations that won him his singular title. He presided over the First Council of Constantinople (381) before resigning the see for the peace of the Church.
Notable Actions
- Delivered the Five Theological Orations (380), earning the title 'the Theologian'
- Led the Nicene faithful in Constantinople against Arian dominance
- Presided over the First Council of Constantinople (381), which completed the Creed
- Resigned the see of Constantinople for the peace of the Church
- One of the three Cappadocian Fathers, with Basil and Gregory of Nyssa
Portrait: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons