The Liturgical Calendar: The Church Remembers

Today the church remembers Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 394.

At a time such as ours, when some persons take the false art of astrology so seriously, one might well read this ancient Christian teacher"s book on the subject, entitled Against Fate. This was one of many writings by Gregory against various forms of wrong thinking and wretched living.

Gregory was a brother of Basil the Great (see June 14) and served for many years as the Bishop of Nyssa in Cappadocia, a part of central Turkey today. He was a powerful preacher, a brilliant student of the Bible, and a deeply spiritual person. We still have a number of his sermons, biblical commentaries, and devotional and ascetical writings.

Gregory attended the great Church Council at Constantinople in 381 and staunchly opposed the Arians. The Arians wrongly regarded Jesus Christ as only an agent of God rather than as the God-Man. Because of his convincing argumentation at this Council, Gregory came to be called the “Pillar of Orthodoxy.” Through the years, his wise counsels and sound teachings led many into a fuller understanding of the faith and saved many others from much unhappiness and error.

O God, enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship and serve you. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nyssa, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

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