St. Gregory Nazianzen

St. Gregory Nazianzen - May 9th

Gregory was born in Cappodocia. His parents were Saints: St. Nonna and St. Gregory the Elder. As soon as he was born, his mother took him to church to off her to God. At the same time, to sanctify his hands, she touched them to the Holy Bible. As soon as he was old enough, he was given the Bible to read and meditate on. Gregory was sent to the best schools and he studied hard.

At the famous school of Athens in Greece, he met a wonderful student, Basil, who became St. Basil! These two very close friends spent years happily studying together. They respected everyone, but they never went with anyone who did not behave as he should. In the midst of many dangers, they kept themselves pure.

Later, they both became priests and then bishops. Gregory was such a wonderful preacher that great crowds, and even heretics and pagans, came to hear him. They clapped loud and long after his speeches, and this he did not like, because, although he was very learned, he was also very humble.

While he was Bishop of Constantinople, Gregory converted many heretics with his sermons. Because of this, the heretics persecuted him and even tried to take away his life. A young man offered to carry out this murder, but at the last minute, he felt great remorse and threw himself at the Saint’s feet. With great sorrow he confessed his evil intention. The Saint forgave him at once and won him with his gentleness. This was, in fact, his motto: “Let us show our enemies what we have learned at the feet of Jesus. We must overcome them by gentleness.”

Let us do our best never to be the cause of fights or arguments. And let us be kind and patient when other start trouble.