Festal Orations (Popular Patristics Series)

by Gregory of Nazianzus

Publisher:

St Vladimir’s Seminary Press

, 2008

Overview

In the West, St. Gregory of Nazianzus is best known for his Five Theological Orations, a classic response to the theology of Eunomius, a late, radicalized form of Arianism. However, his Festal Orations have shaped the theology and spirituality of the Eastern churches in ways that have escaped the notice of those who read only the Theological Orations. In the context of festal proclamation and celebration, St. Gregory articulates his own theology with emphasis and rhetorical features different from those found in the five discourses. The doctrines he proclaims are inseparably intertwined with his pastoral teachings about Christian life. Now you can dive into this significant, and often overlooked, work in an engaging English translation by Sister Nonna Verna Harrison.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Anamnesis means re-presentation of God’s saving works so that the worshipers can participate in these events as present realities and thereby receive the eschatological salvation, new life and sanctification divinely accomplished through them. Anamnesis thus unites past, present and future in a single present event of worship.” (Pages 24–25)

“Let us become like Christ, since Christ also became like us; let us become gods because of him, since he also because of us became human. He assumed what is worse that he might give what is better. He became poor that we through his poverty might become rich.¹⁴ He took the form of a slave,¹⁵ that we might regain freedom.¹⁶ He descended that we might be lifted up, he was tempted that we might be victorious, he was dishonored to glorify us, he died to save us, he ascended to draw to himself us who lay below in the Fall of sin. Let us give everything, offer everything, to the one who gave himself as a ransom and an exchange for us.¹⁷ But one can give nothing comparable to oneself, understanding the mystery and becoming because of him everything that he became because of us.” (Page 59)

“Besides all this and above all, guard for me the good deposit,²²³ by which I live and by which I also govern, and which I desire to accompany me in my journey hence, with which I bear everything painful and spit upon every pleasure, the confession of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.” (Page 136)

“It is the time of rebirth; let us be born from above. It is the time of refashioning; let us receive again the first Adam.⁵ Let us not remain what we are but become what we once were.” (Page 79)

Product Details

• Title: Festal Orations
• Author: Gregory of Nazianzus
• Series: Popular Patristics Series
• Volume: 36
• Publisher: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Church year sermons; Orthodox Eastern Church › Sermons; Sermons, Greek › Translations into English; Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek › Translations into English
• ISBNs: 9780881413250, 9782204012669, 9782503400006, 9782503404810, 9782503406411, 9783451238000, 0881413259, 2204012661, 2503400000, 2503406416, 3451238004
• Resource ID: LLS:FSTLRTNSGRNZNZS
• Resource Type: text.monograph.sermons
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-03-11T21:44:03Z

About Gregory of Nazianzus

Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329 – January 25 389 or 390) (also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen) was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. As a classically trained speaker and philosopher he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials.