Nicene Era
Five Theological Orations
Gregory of Nazianzus · c. 380
Historical Context
Delivered at Constantinople in the years leading up to the Council of 381, where Gregory presided as archbishop.
Summary
These five sermons set out the classical Nicene doctrine of God: the one ousia of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the genuine deity of the Spirit; the limits of theological speech; and a doctrine of the Son grounded in scripture and worship. They earned Gregory the title 'the Theologian.'
Major Themes
- Trinitarian theology
- Apophatic limits
- Deity of the Holy Spirit
- Christology
Important Quotations
“What is not assumed is not healed; but what is united to God is also saved.”— Epistle 101 (To Cledonius)
Related Timeline Events
Related Doctrines
Primary Sources
Further Reading
- John A. McGuckin, St Gregory of Nazianzus: An Intellectual Biography