Church History
11/4/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter X. Church Fathers, and Theological Literature." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2562-2700). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 161-180).
"§165. Gregory of Nyssa." (pp. 2592-2597).
Gregory of Nyssa, brother of Basil the Great, considered earthly wealth and lineage to be unimportant (Schaff 2014, p. 2593). He became an ascetic in Pontus after a brief time as a rhetorician. Although he was married, he endorsed a life of celibacy as a means of freedom from worldly distractions (Schaff 2014, p. 2594). He viewed the spiritual dedication to God as a true sort of virginity, developing a life of freedom.
In 372, Basil urged Gregory to move to Cappadocia and engage in active interactions to combat Arian beliefs (Schaff 2014, p. 2594). This resulted in a two year exile beginning in 376. After his return from exile he endured the death of all his brothers and sisters, who served as examples to him of the godly life (Schaff 2014, p. 2595). Schaff provides a substantial prayer written by Gregory after the death of his sister, indicating the depth of his repentance and dedication to God.
Gregory of Nyssa was present at the council of Constantinople. There arose a tradition, which Schaff considers erroneous, that he composed the addition to the Nicene Creed adopted at Constantinople (Schaff 2014, p. 2595). Because of his prominence as a theologian he was sent to tour numerous Christian communities to evaluate and strengthen their faith (Schaff 2014, p. 2596). He died around 395. Schaff lists many of his known works. They show a strong influence of Origen, and stress human freedom (Schaff 2014, p. 2597).
"§166. Gregory Nazianzen." (pp. 2597-2610).
Gregory Nazianzen is also referred to as Gregory the Theologian. He is a contemporary in both time and place with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa (Schaff 2014, p. 2598). Gregory defended Nicene orthodoxy while embracing the arts, poetry, and contemplation.
Gregory was born about 330, making him a year younger than the emperor Julian (Schaff 2014, p. 2599). His Christian mother was a strong formative influence on him. In Schaff's analysis, she was a woman of broad interests and abilities, able to concentrate her attention in a singular manner (Schaff 2014, p. 2600).
Trained in the Scripture and in science, Gregory then moved into a study of rhetoric (Schaff 2014, p. 2600). As a teacher in the church he followed and endorsed the custom of his time, living a celibate life (Schaff 2014, p. 2601). He received training in Cappadocian Caesarea, then in Caesarea in Palestine, followed by studies in Alexandria and Athens. It was in Athens that Gregory became a close friend of Basil. His relationship with his fellow student, Julian (the apostate) was quite the opposite, resulting in ongoing antagonism (Schaff 2014, p. 2602).
After studies in Athens, Gregory returned to his parents' home with his brother, a physician (Schaff 2014, p. 2602). After receiving baptism he entered a strict form of asceticism. Schaff illustrates Gregory's progressive move into the life of contemplation in this period. In 361, against his will, Gregory was ordained as a presbyter (Schaff 2014, p. 2603). He began service as a presbyter in Nazianzum in 362. Basil subsequently ordained Gregory as a bishop, with responsibility to care for the small town of Sasima. There is some doubt as to whether Gregory actually took up that office, as he is known to have been assisting his father in 372 (Schaff 2014, p. 2604).
After the death of Gregory's father in 374, he entered a life of solitude in 375 (Schaff 2014, p. 2605). The death of Basil in 379 pushed Gregory into a period of depression. At this time, he was called to the orthodox church in Constantinople, which city had succumbed to Arian thought (Schaff 2014, p. 2606). Through his labors, Nicene orthodoxy came to prominence in Constantinople. Gregory's trinitarian discourses from this time period were well known and received. Schaff considers the edict of Theodosius in 380, deposing Arians, to have been inspired by the work of Gregory, whom he placed over the cathedral church of Constantinople (Schaff 2014, p. 2607). Gregory was placed as bishop of Constantinople in 381. He subsequently resigned due to the political intrigue caused by his elevation (Schaff 2014, p. 2608). Gregory remained active in writing and engaged in human care ministries through the remainder of his life (Schaff 2014, p. 2609). He died in 390 or 391.
11/4/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter X. Church Fathers, and Theological Literature." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2562-2700). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 161-180).
"§165. Gregory of Nyssa." (pp. 2592-2597).
Gregory of Nyssa, brother of Basil the Great, considered earthly wealth and lineage to be unimportant (Schaff 2014, p. 2593). He became an ascetic in Pontus after a brief time as a rhetorician. Although he was married, he endorsed a life of celibacy as a means of freedom from worldly distractions (Schaff 2014, p. 2594). He viewed the spiritual dedication to God as a true sort of virginity, developing a life of freedom.
In 372, Basil urged Gregory to move to Cappadocia and engage in active interactions to combat Arian beliefs (Schaff 2014, p. 2594). This resulted in a two year exile beginning in 376. After his return from exile he endured the death of all his brothers and sisters, who served as examples to him of the godly life (Schaff 2014, p. 2595). Schaff provides a substantial prayer written by Gregory after the death of his sister, indicating the depth of his repentance and dedication to God.
Gregory of Nyssa was present at the council of Constantinople. There arose a tradition, which Schaff considers erroneous, that he composed the addition to the Nicene Creed adopted at Constantinople (Schaff 2014, p. 2595). Because of his prominence as a theologian he was sent to tour numerous Christian communities to evaluate and strengthen their faith (Schaff 2014, p. 2596). He died around 395. Schaff lists many of his known works. They show a strong influence of Origen, and stress human freedom (Schaff 2014, p. 2597).
"§166. Gregory Nazianzen." (pp. 2597-2610).
Gregory Nazianzen is also referred to as Gregory the Theologian. He is a contemporary in both time and place with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa (Schaff 2014, p. 2598). Gregory defended Nicene orthodoxy while embracing the arts, poetry, and contemplation.
Gregory was born about 330, making him a year younger than the emperor Julian (Schaff 2014, p. 2599). His Christian mother was a strong formative influence on him. In Schaff's analysis, she was a woman of broad interests and abilities, able to concentrate her attention in a singular manner (Schaff 2014, p. 2600).
Trained in the Scripture and in science, Gregory then moved into a study of rhetoric (Schaff 2014, p. 2600). As a teacher in the church he followed and endorsed the custom of his time, living a celibate life (Schaff 2014, p. 2601). He received training in Cappadocian Caesarea, then in Caesarea in Palestine, followed by studies in Alexandria and Athens. It was in Athens that Gregory became a close friend of Basil. His relationship with his fellow student, Julian (the apostate) was quite the opposite, resulting in ongoing antagonism (Schaff 2014, p. 2602).
After studies in Athens, Gregory returned to his parents' home with his brother, a physician (Schaff 2014, p. 2602). After receiving baptism he entered a strict form of asceticism. Schaff illustrates Gregory's progressive move into the life of contemplation in this period. In 361, against his will, Gregory was ordained as a presbyter (Schaff 2014, p. 2603). He began service as a presbyter in Nazianzum in 362. Basil subsequently ordained Gregory as a bishop, with responsibility to care for the small town of Sasima. There is some doubt as to whether Gregory actually took up that office, as he is known to have been assisting his father in 372 (Schaff 2014, p. 2604).
After the death of Gregory's father in 374, he entered a life of solitude in 375 (Schaff 2014, p. 2605). The death of Basil in 379 pushed Gregory into a period of depression. At this time, he was called to the orthodox church in Constantinople, which city had succumbed to Arian thought (Schaff 2014, p. 2606). Through his labors, Nicene orthodoxy came to prominence in Constantinople. Gregory's trinitarian discourses from this time period were well known and received. Schaff considers the edict of Theodosius in 380, deposing Arians, to have been inspired by the work of Gregory, whom he placed over the cathedral church of Constantinople (Schaff 2014, p. 2607). Gregory was placed as bishop of Constantinople in 381. He subsequently resigned due to the political intrigue caused by his elevation (Schaff 2014, p. 2608). Gregory remained active in writing and engaged in human care ministries through the remainder of his life (Schaff 2014, p. 2609). He died in 390 or 391.
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