(c.333-c.398) The younger brother of Saint Basil the Great and friend of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus had four siblings canonized as saints. He was educated in Athens, married, and taught rhetoric. He later became a priest and hermit, then bishop of Nyssa and, briefly, Archbishop of Sebaste in modern-day Turkey. He participated in the First Council of Constantinople and defended the creed against Arianism.
Pope Benedict XVI said of Gregory in the August 29, 2007 General Audience, “He commented on Sacred Scripture, reflecting on the creation of man. This was one of his central topics: creation. He saw in the creature the reflection of the Creator and found here the way that leads to God.” This perspective should help us identify some of our assets (positive character traits) in Steps 4 and 10.
“If, with a diligent and attentive standard of living, you wash away the bad things that have deposited upon your heart, the divine beauty will shine in you…Contemplating yourself, you will see within you he who is the desire of your heart, and you will be blessed” (Saint Gregory of Nyssa).
Reflection by Brad Farmer