Saint Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa

Life

Gregory was the brother of Saint Basil the Great. He was at first only a presbyter, since he was married, and when his wife, the blessed Theosebia, died, they elected him and consecrated him as bishop in Nyssa. He was distinguished by enormous worldly learning and spiritual experience. He participated in the Second Ecumenical Council. It is thought that he composed the second part of the Creed. A great preacher, interpreter of Holy Scripture, and theologian. Because of his defeat, the Arians had particularly set upon him as their terrible opponent, and in the time of Emperor Valens, their like-minded ally, they succeeded in deposing him from the episcopal throne and driving him into exile. This Holy Father spent eight years in exile patiently enduring all miseries and all humiliations. Finally he ended his life in deep old age at the end of the fourth century, passing into the Kingdom of God and remaining through all the ages on earth as a great luminary of the Church.

From the Hymn of Praise

The Spirit holds the gifts,The Spirit distributes the gifts,To one gentle mercy, to another bold understanding,To another extraordinary virginal purity,