Gregory of Nazianzusa

Gregory of Nazianzus (~329 CE – ~390 CE), also known as Gregory the Theologian and Gregory Nazianzen, was born between 326 and 330 CE to Greek parents near the town of Nazianzus in southwestern Cappadocia (Daley 2012: 1; Wikipedia). Gregory pursued his education at several centers of learning, including Caesarea in Cappadocia, Caesarea in Palestine, Alexandria, and Athens (Daley 2012: 4–5). On his journey to Athens, Gregory nearly perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus. This experience led him to dedicate his life to Christian service (Daley 2012: 6). In Athens he formed a lifelong friendship with Basil of Caesarea and likely encountered the future emperor Julian the Apostate, who was also studying there at the time (Daley 2012: 6–7). After returning home, probably between 356 and 358 CE, Gregory held several ecclesiastical offices before becoming Bishop of Constantinople around 380 CE (Daley 2012: 7, 2; Wikipedia). He wrote numerous influential theological works, particularly on the doctrine of the Trinity. Gregory’s two-part invective against Emperor Julian the Apostate was written during Julian’s reign and likely completed by 364 CE (Daley 2012: 32–33). This work included a description of the 363 CE earthquake — an account that, according to Cain and Lenski 2009, was written within a year of the event. Gregory died around 390 CE.