Saint Gregory of Nyssa

Life

4th century
(The Cappadocian Fathers are Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus & Saint Basil the Great )

Teachings

The Trinity of God

The Infinity of God

Stages of Spiritual Progression
1. Initial darkness or ignorance
2. Spiritual illumination
3. Darkness of the mind in contemplation of the God who cannot be comprehended. Apophatic theology teaches that mystically it is only through “not-knowing” and “not-seeing” that God can, paradoxically, be known and seen.

Constant Progress (Epektasis) – the ideal of human perfection as constant progress in virtue and godliness.
The Cappadocian Fathers as Founders of Byzantine Thought

Writings

Dogmatic Treatises

Against Eunomius
Answer to Eunomius’ Second Book
On the Holy Spirit
On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit
On “Not Three Gods.”
On the Faith

Ascetic and Moral Treatises

On Virginity
On Infants’ Early Deaths
On Pilgrimages

Philosophical Works

Apologetic Works

The Great Catechism

Oratorical Works

Funeral Oration on Meletius
On the Baptism of Christ
Fifteen Homilies on the Song of Songs (Intro Only)

Letters

To Eusebius
To the City of Sebasteia
To Ablabius
To Cynegius
A Testimonial
To Stagirius
To a Friend
To a Student of the Classics
An Invitation
To Libanius
Second Letter to Libanius
On His work against Eunomius
To the Church at Nicomedia
To the Bishop of Melitene
To Adelphius the Lawyer
To Amphilochius
To Eustathia, Ambrosia, and Basilissa
To Flavian

Troparion — Tone 4

O God of our Fathers, / always act with kindness towards us; / take not Your mercy from us, / but guide our lives in peace / through the prayers of the hierarchs Gregory and Dometian.

Troparion — Tone 8

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; / your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Gregory, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 1

You kept watch with the eyes of your soul, holy bishop, / revealing yourself as a watchful pastor for the world. / With the staff of your wisdom and your fervent intercession, / you drove away all heretics like wolves. / You preserved your flock free from harm, most wise Gregory!

Feast Day(s)

January 10th

Icon image source: https://www.uncutmountainsupply.com/icons/of-saints/by-name/g/st-gregory-of-nyssa-16th-c-stavronikita-athos-1gn11/