12.8.2013 CHURCH FATHERS 14 -gregory of nazianzus; b326?; patriarch of constantinopel 379-81; d391

neither of the two gregories, of nazianzus or of nyssa, were distinguished like basil
for practical ability or as ecclesiastical statesmen.
the subject of this chapter was of a retiring disposition
and would have preferred to remain quietly at nazianzus,
of which his father was for many years bishop:
even the priesthood was forced upon him against his wish.
yet for two years of his life he occupied an exceedingly prominent position  as archbishop of constantinople,
president for a short time over the second ecumenical council;
and during that period he was mainly instrumental in reviving catholicism in the eastern capital.
this he did, not by skill in organizing or administration,
but by the flood of eloquence which he untiringly poured forth in defence of the doctrine of the trinity.
the roman breviary calls him 'the keenest champion of the consubstantiality of the Son'
(in other words, of the Homo-ousion)
and adds that 'while no one surpassed him in virtue..
so he easily surpassed all others in the solidity of his reasoning..'
he acquired the title of The theologian, which must be understood less in a general sense, than as
'defender of the Godhead of the word'
while de broglie says of him, 'in a few hours and a few pages gregory summed up and closed
the controversy of a whole century'.
in fact, he fixed permanently the lines on which the defence of the doctrine was hereafter to be made.
sometimes he has even shared with st. john the title 'Divine'

in many respects he was the opposite of basil, whom he so intensely admired.
in his personal appearance he is described as 'shor, meagre, sickly, prematurely old
(this was when he first appeared at constantinople),
with an aspect of habitual melancholy, with one eye gone, a scar on his face,
stooping shoulders, downcast look, and shabby clothes'.
again their literary style has been contrasted.
in a work published anonymously at lille in 1887, we read that
both have eloquence, culture, fine and delicate thought;
but B is more serious, G more joyous and lively;
the former tried to persuade, the latter to please.
B was majestic and tranquil; G had more movement and fire.
B liked gravity and shrank from raillery;
G made raillery innocent and subservient to virtue;
G commanded more respect, G more love.