Gregory of Nazianzus (The Early Church Fathers)

This book brings together a new, original survey of the significance of Gregory's life and work with translations of eight beautiful and profound orations. Gregory of Nazianzus portrays a vivid picture of a fascinating character of vital importance who deserves to be regarded as the first true Christian humanist. The eight orations, each representing a different aspect of his writing, are examined alongside a selection of his shorter poems in verse translation, letters, and a translation of Gregory's own will. Author Brian Daley offers extensive commentary on the works translated and an ample bibliography. With an extensive introduction to Gregory's life, thought and writings, and including detailed notes, this study places Gregory in his correct historical context, and gives students access to a deeper understanding of this fascinating figure from the past. Gregory Of Nazianzus, A Complex And Colorful Figure In A Crucial Age (fourth Century Ad) When It Was Permissible For The First Time To Be A Public Christian Intellectual, Was Well Placed To Become One Of The Outstanding Defenders And Formulators Of Church Doctrine. A Gifted And Skilled Rhetorician, Poet, And Orator, And A Profound Theologian, Gregory Was Ordained A Bishop And Served For Almost Two Years As Head Of The Orthodox Christian Community In Constantinople, Where He Played A Crucial Role In Formulating The Classical Doctrines Of The Trinity And The Person Of Christ. Under Fire From Opponents In The Church, The Enigmatic Gregory Eventually Retreated Into A Quiet Life Of Study And Simple Asceticism In His Native Cappadocia, Concentrating There On Bringing The Broad Canon Of His Own Writings To Their Present Form. The Body Of His Works, Including Poetry, Letters, Sermons And Lectures On Religious Themes And Written With The Precision And Elegance Of Classical Greek Literature, Was Recognized In The Byzantine Age As Equal In Quality To The Achievements Of The Greatest Greek Writers. A Collection Of New Translations Of A Selection Of These Works, With An Extensive Introduction To Gregory's Life, Thought, And Writings, Gregory Of Nazianzus Presents To Us A Vivid Portrait Of A Fascinating Character Who Deserves To Be Regarded As One Of The Christian Tradition's Outstanding Theologians And As The First True Christian Humanist--from Publisher Description. Orations -- Poems -- Letters -- Gregory's Will. By Brian E. Daley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 259-267) & Index.

Gregory of Nazianzus, a complex and colorful figure living during a crucial age in which it was permissible for the first time to be a public Christian intellectual (4th Century AD), was well placed to become one of the outstanding defenders and formulators of Trinitarian orthodoxy.
A gifted and skilled rhetorician, poet, and orator, as well as a profound theologian, Gregory was ordained a bishop and served as head of the orthodox Christian community in Constantinople, where he played an important role in formulating the classical doctrines of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Under fire from opponents in the Church, the enigmatic Gregory soon retreated into a quiet life of study and simple asceticism, concentrating on quiet meditation and strengthening his canon of literature. Gregory's body of works, comprising poetry, letters, sermons and lectures on religious themes and written with the terseness and elegance of classical Greek literature, was canonized in the Byzantine age as equal to the greatest Greek writers before him.
A collection of new translations of a selection of these achievements in literature and theology, with an extensive introduction to Gregory's life, thought, and writings, Gregory Nazianzus portrays a vivid picture of a fascinating character of vital importance; who deserves to be regarded as the first true Christian humanist.

BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 SERIES TITLE......Page 3 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 DEDICATION......Page 6 CONTENTS......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 10 1. INTRODUCTION......Page 12 2. ORATIONS......Page 73 3. POEMS......Page 173 4. LETTERS......Page 183 5. GREGORY’S WILL......Page 195 NOTES......Page 201 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 270 INDEX......Page 279 St Gregory of Nazianzus is known both for the quality and profundity of his theological works and also for the somewhat eccentric outlines of his personality. This volume provides fresh translations of a selection of St Gregory's varied works Brian Daley provides fresh translations of a comprehensive selection of St Gregory's varied works, biographical, poetic and theological, with a detailed introduction and notes