Gregory of Nazianzus Quotes
Gregory of Nazianzus, called the Theologian, was a fourth-century Cappadocian Father, archbishop of Constantinople, and one of the principal architects of Trinitarian orthodoxy. With Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he shaped the doctrine of three persons in one substance ratified at the Council of Constantinople in 381. The quotes below are attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus, organized by topic.
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Gregory of Nazianzus on God
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Attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus:
“Better to think rightly of God in silence than wrongly in speech.”
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Attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus:
“Theology is impossible without prayer.”
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Attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus:
“Beware of giving names to God, for he is above all names.”
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Attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus:
“The mind that has been illumined by God speaks rightly of God.”
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Attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus:
“What is unassumed is unhealed; but what is united with God is also saved.”
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“I offer this gift to my God, I dedicate this gift to Him. Only this remains to me as my treasure. I gave up everything else at the command of the Spirit. I gave all that I had to obtain the pearl of great price. Only in words do I master it, as a servant of the Word. I would never intentionally wish to disdain this wealth. I esteem it, I set value by it, I am comforted by it more than others are comforted by all the treasures of the world. It is the companion of all my life, a good counselor and converser; a guide on the way to Heaven and a fervent co-ascetic.”
Concerning his literary gift, "St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople -
“It is more important that we should remember God than that we should breathe.”
On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2002), Oration 27 -
“On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2002), Oration 27”
It is more important that we should remember God than that we should breathe.
Gregory of Nazianzus on Happiness
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“Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me... I was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it.”
Concerning his resignment from his office as Patriarch of Constantinople, "St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople
Gregory of Nazianzus on Knowledge
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“Concerning his literary gift, "St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople”
I offer this gift to my God, I dedicate this gift to Him. Only this remains to me as my treasure. I gave up everything else at the command of the Spirit. I gave all that I had to obtain the pearl of great price. Only in words do I master it, as a servant of the Word. I would never intentionally wish to disdain this wealth. I esteem it, I set value by it, I am comforted by it more than others are c -
“I am an organ of the Lord, and sweetly... do I glorify the King, all atremble before Him.”
St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople -
“St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople”
I am an organ of the Lord, and sweetly... do I glorify the King, all atremble before Him. -
“Concerning his resignment from his office as Patriarch of Constantinople, "St. Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople”
Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me... I was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it. -
“First Theological Oration (Oration 27) , IX.”
Philosophize about the world or worlds; about matter ; about soul ; about natures endowed with reason , good or bad; about resurrection , about judgment , about reward, or the Sufferings of Christ. For in these subjects to hit the mark is not useless, and to miss it is not dangerous.
Gregory of Nazianzus on Nature
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“Philosophize about the world or worlds; about matter ; about soul ; about natures endowed with reason , good or bad; about resurrection , about judgment , about reward, or the Sufferings of Christ. For in these subjects to hit the mark is not useless, and to miss it is not dangerous.”
First Theological Oration (Oration 27) , IX.
Gregory of Nazianzus on Politics
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“He will come again with His glorious Presence to judge the quick and the dead; no longer flesh, nor yet without a body, according to the laws which He alone knows of a more godlike body.”
ibid., XLV.
Gregory of Nazianzus on Virtue
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“I myself hold my friend the great Basil in high regard for his seriousness of character and the maturity and prudence of his discourse.”
Oration 43, Chapter XV.