On Gregory the Theologian from the Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen
Book 6, Chapter 17.- Friendship of Basil and of Gregory, the Theologian;
Being Peers in Wisdom, They Defend the Nicene Doctrines.
Basil and Gregory were contemporaries, and they were recognized to
be equally intent, so to speak, upon the cultivation of the virtues.
They had both studied in their youth at Athens, under Himerius and
Proaeresius, the most approved sophists of the age; and afterwards at
Antioch, under Libanius, the Syrian. But as they subsequently conceived
a contempt for sophistry and the study of the law, they determined to
study philosophy according to the law of the Church. After having spent
some time in the pursuit of the sciences, taught by pagan philosophers,
they entered upon the study of the commentaries which Origen and the
best approved authors who lived before and after his time, have written
in explanation of the Sacred Scriptures.
They rendered great assistance to those who, like themselves,
maintained the Nicene doctrines, for they manfully opposed the dogmas of
the Arians, proving that these heretics did not rightly understand
either the data upon which they proceeded, nor the opinions of Origen,
upon which they mainly depended. These two holy men divided the perils
of their undertaking, either by mutual agreement, or, as I have been
informed, by lot. The cities in the neighborhood of Pontus fell to the
lot of Basil; and here he founded numerous monasteries, and, by teaching
the people, he persuaded them to hold like views with himself. After the
death of his father, Gregory acted as bishop of the small city of
Nazianzus, but resided on that account in a variety of places, and
especially at Constantinople. Not long after he was appointed by the
vote of many priests to act as president of the people there; for there
was then neither bishop nor church in Constantinople, and the doctrines
of the council of Nicaea were almost extinct.
Book 7, Chapter 5. - Gregory, the Theologian, Receives from Theodosius
the Government of the Churches. Expulsion of Demophilus, and of All Who
Deny that the Son is "Consubstantial" With the Father.
Soon after the enactment of this law, Theodosius went to
Constantinople. The Arians, under the guidance of Demophilus, still
retained possession of the churches. Gregory of Nazianzen presided over
those who maintain the "consubstantiality" of the Holy Trinity, and
assembled them together in a little dwelling, which had been altered
into the form of a house of prayer, by those who held the same opinions
and had a like form of worship. It subsequently became one of the most
conspicuous in the city, and is so now, not only for the beauty and
number of its structures, but also for the advantages accruing to it
from the visible manifestations of God. For the power of God was there
manifested, and was helpful both in waking visions and in dreams, often
for the relief of many diseases and for those afflicted by some sudden
transmutation in their affairs. The power was accredited to the
intercessions of Mary, the Mother of God, the holy virgin, for she does
manifest herself in this way. The name of Anastasia was given to this
church, because, as I believe, the Nicene doctrines which were fallen
into disuse in Constantinople, and, so to speak, buried by reason of the
power of the heterodox, arose from the dead and were again quickened
through the discourses of Gregory; or, as I have heard, some affirm with
assurance that one day, when the people were met together for worship in
this edifice, a pregnant woman fell from the highest gallery, and was
found dead on the spot; but that, at the prayer of the whole
congregation, she was restored to life, and she and the infant were
saved. On account of the occurrence of this divine marvel, the place,
as some assert, obtained its name.
Gregory of Nazianzus (the Theologian), commemorated 25 January
Guessing: St John of the Cross?
