§ 156. Св. Григорий – толкователь Свящ. Писания и учитель нравственности.

St. Gregory wrote several works in explanation of St. Scriptures, but these were more reflections on the words of inspiration than interpretations of them. a) Eight discourses on 3 chapters of Ecclesiastes - excellent instructions on virtue and vice and their actions. The explanation ends with verse 13 of chapter 3. b) 15 Discourses on the Song of Songs with the preliminary instruction that this book should be read by those whose hearts are pure and free from earthly love. “The song describes a marriage ceremony, but of course the union of the soul with God.” c) Research about Pythoness shows that the one who appeared in the form of Samuel is a spirit of malice. d) Two reflections on the inscriptions of the psalms in a conversation about Psalm 6: in the reflections a general overview of the psalms and their effect on the heart 696. e) 5 Discourses on the Lord's Prayer in 8 Discourses on the 8 Beatitudes 697. The first are precious for their lofty thoughts about the necessity and power of prayer. Conversations about blessedness with thorough lessons about humility, meekness, poverty of spirit, etc. From here it is already clear that St. Gregory carefully thought about Christian piety. For edification in piety, he wrote many special works. These are: a) Three Studies on Christian Perfection 698. In the first, we are looking for what the name of a Christian and our faith oblige us to? The second defines how to achieve excellence? The third presents the purpose of the Christian life in clear terms. b) The life of Moses or the perfect life: in the example of Moses shows the virtues of a Christian 699. Somewhat similar to that “life of St. Gregory the Wonderworker" and "life of St. Macrina" 700. c) Instructions on private moral subjects: love for the poor; against moneylenders? to those who judge others harshly; against fornicators 701 ; about virginity; against those who are partial to insults; that there is no need to cry for the dead; against those postponing Baptism or repentance 702. d) Between the letters of St. Gregory 703 contains two remarkable letters about a journey to Jerusalem. St. Gregory shows the mistakes and errors that some of his contemporary visitors to the Holy Land made; explains how serious these errors are: but he does not say that pious travel is in any case impious, as the old Protestants understood him on the contrary 704. e) The canonical letter to Lemoius, Metropolitan of Armenian Metilene, was included in the rules of the Universal Church. It is recognized by church law not only in the Orthodox Church 705, but also in the Armenian and Jacobite Churches. Its difference from other rules is that St. Gregory's rules are derived from consideration of the properties and powers of the soul. “In our soul,” says the first, the rule of St. Gregory, according to the initial division, three forces are seen: the power of the mind, the power of lust and the power of irritation (feelings). They accomplish the exploits of those who live virtuously and the downfalls of those who are inclined to evil.” Then, placing the sins of the mind as the most important, he determines the most severe penances for deviation from the faith. In general, healing is determined by the measure of the disease, and disease is measured by the value of the strength affected by the disease. Or. T. 1. r. 468–712. 257–373. 373–468. T. 2. r. 35. T. 1. r. 742–836. Chr. Thurs. 1834. 1837. 1842. T. 3. r. 267–316. Chr. Thurs. 1826 T. 1. r. 167–257. Chr. Thurs. 1831 T. 3. r. 534. T. 2. r. 177. T. 2. r. 49. 235. 144. 132. 165. 129. 260. Chr. Thurs. 1835. 1836. 1838. The exhortation to repentance (T. 2. p. 265) belongs to Asterius of Amasia, as does the word at the beginning of Lent (T. 2. p. 247). Photii Bibl. cod. 271. T. 3. r. 113–179. 311–317. 617–644. T. 2. r. 215–224. 14 letters ed. Zakagniy river 354–400. 7 letters ex. Caraccioli, Florentiae 1731. Four letters in Morell's edition. T. 3. 651–658. Sl. Lambecii lectures in h. epistolam in Comm. Vindob. T. 8. p. 82 s. ed. Kollarii. Beveregii Pandecta T. 2. Book of rules. You might be interested in: