Gregory of Nyssa

Russian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX · Public domainRussian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX

Church Fatherc. 335–39516 works in the Library →

Who

Younger brother of Basil, bishop of Nyssa from 372 and the most philosophical of the Cappadocians. Against Eunomius, the Great Catechism, On the Making of Man, On the Soul and the Resurrection, the Life of Moses and the homilies on the Song of Songs describe the soul's endless ascent into God. His homily on the Nativity records the tradition that Mary had vowed her virginity before the Annunciation, which is why she asks the angel "how shall this be?".

Lineage

In the succession →

See of Nyssa, 372–395.

Taught by: Basil the Greatc. 330–379
Gregory of Nyssa, Letter 13 and Against Eunomius I (his brother, whom he calls his father and teacher)

Quoted in

Against Eunomius111 passages
Chapter 1 · Chapter 2 · Book I · Book II · Book III · …
Catena Aurea on Luke85 comments
Luke 1:28–29 · Luke 1:30–33 · Luke 1:34–35 · Luke 10:17–20 · Luke 10:25–28 · …
The Great Catechism42 passages
Chapter 1 · Chapter 2 · Chapter 3 · Chapter 4 · Chapter 5 · …
On the Making of Man31 passages
On the Making of Man · …
On Virginity24 passages
On Virginity · …
Letters18 passages
Letter 1 · Letter 2 · Letter 3 · Letter 4 · Letter 5 · …
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book1 passages
Chapter 1
Canonical letter1 passages
Canonical letter
Funeral Oration on Meletius1 passages
Funeral Oration on Meletius
Catena Aurea on Mark1 comments
Mark 5:1–20
On 'Not Three Gods'1 passages
On 'Not Three Gods'
On Infants' Early Deaths1 passages
On Infants' Early Deaths
On Pilgrimages1 passages
On Pilgrimages
On the Baptism of Christ1 passages
On the Baptism of Christ
On the Faith1 passages
On the Faith
On the Holy Spirit1 passages
On the Holy Spirit
On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit1 passages
On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit
On the Soul and the Resurrection1 passages
Chapter 1

In Jewish Roots of Mary

Who

Bishop of Nyssa, brother of Basil, mystical theologian and one of the earliest witnesses to the belief that Mary bore Christ without pain.

Quoted works

On the Song of Songs 13 — Isaiah 66:7 fulfilled in Mary's painless birth; 'it was necessary that the Mother of life, after having conceived in joy, should give birth in joy as well' (pp 132, 135)

Connections

Cited by · 3

ArgumentThe surprising claim about Mary's birth pangs at Bethlehem.Jewish Roots
On the Song of Songs 13 (pp 132, 135)
ArgumentPainless at Bethlehem, pains at the passion — Irenaeus, Gregory of Nyssa, John Damascene; Mater DolorosaJewish Roots
On the Song of Songs 13 (p 132)
ArgumentThree meanings of the miraculous birth — divinity (Leo), new creation (Ephrem), resurrection as birth (Ephrem, Romans 8:29)Jewish Roots
On the Song of Songs 13 (p 135)

Verses discussed · 2

VerseGenesis 3:16Jewish Roots
VerseIsaiah 66:7Jewish Roots

Referenced by · 10

AuthorityBasil the GreatJewish Roots
AuthorityBasil the GreatChain of Faith
AuthorityEphrem the SyrianJewish Roots
AuthorityGregory of NazianzusJewish Roots
AuthorityGregory of NazianzusChain of Faith
AuthorityGregory ThaumaturgusChain of Faith
AuthorityIrenaeus of LyonsJewish Roots
AuthorityJohn DamasceneJewish Roots
AuthorityNemesius of EmesaChain of Faith
AuthorityOecumeniusJewish Roots

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