Gregory Nazianzen

Gregory of Nazianzus was born around 329 on his family’s estate at Karbala, near Arianzus and Nazianzus in Cappadocia. Raised by devout parents—his mother Nonna and his father, later bishop of Nazianzus—Gregory received a brilliant classical education in rhetoric and philosophy, studying as far away as Athens, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Basil of Caesarea. During a perilous sea voyage, he entrusted himself to Christ and vowed his life to God’s service. Ordained a priest in 361, Gregory labored to heal divisions in his local church and defended the faith against pagan hostility and Arian error. Though reluctantly made bishop of Sasima, he devoted himself chiefly to serving Nazianzus with humility, generosity, and austere prayer, even giving much of his inheritance to the poor. In time he was called to Constantinople, where his preaching and theological clarity strengthened Nicene belief in the Holy Trinity, earning him the title “the Theologian” and, in the Catholic Church, recognition as a Doctor of the Church. He is patron of Acquarica, La Calahorra, Nea Karvali, and Pozoblanco. His feast day is January 2.