Words (2007 ed.)

There are 45 known words of St. Gregory the Theologian. They were written down by cursive writers and then corrected by the saint. Only the 35th word, “In memory of the martyrs and against the Arians,” is recognized as inauthentic. According to the content, “Words” can be divided into several groups: 1. Dogmatic. “Five Words on Theology” (Words 27-31, 380) is a classic exposition of Orthodox triadology and was written in defense of the church doctrine of the Holy Trinity against the Eunomians and Macedonians. This work earned St. Gregory's name is "Theologian". In the 27th word, the saint discusses what a true theologian should be. The 28th talks about the essence, nature and properties of God. The 29th contains the doctrine of God the Son, directed against Arianism. In the 30th, the question of the divine and human natures in God incarnate is addressed. In the 31st, the divine dignity of the Holy Spirit and His equality with the other two Hypostases of the Holy Trinity are proven. 2. Commendations and eulogies. Unsurpassed in strength and depth is the 43rd word, “Tombstone for Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia” (379), in which St. Gregory expresses thoughts about his love for Athens and Hellenic learning, about a solitary and silent life, about the dogma of the Holy Trinity. 3. For various cases, autobiographical and defensive. In the 3rd word of St. Gregory sets out the foundations of shepherding in the Christian Church. This is a classic treatise on the priesthood. Subsequently St. John Chrysostom used it as a source for his Six Words on the Priesthood. The 42nd word, “Farewell spoken during the arrival of one hundred and fifty bishops in Constantinople” (381), is an apology for St. Gregory, addressed to the fathers of the Second Ecumenical Council: he rejects the accusations leveled against him, addresses his farewell words to the flock and the church of St. Anastasia. 4. Accusatory. 2 treatises “Incriminating against King Julian” (Words 4-5), dedicated to the apostate emperor, written after the death of Julian (363). St. Gregory opposed the wave of pagan reaction caused by the short reign of the apostate. 5. Festive words and sermons. The 37th word (on Matthew 19:1) is the only exegetical sermon of St. Gregory the Theologian. The 38th word (the first Christmas sermon in the East) was delivered on Epiphany (379). It is believed that it was pronounced by St. Gregory on the already divided feasts of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany, considering word 38 the earliest Constantinople evidence of such a division in the Greek tradition. Activities of St. Gregory the Theologian as a preacher ended with a word for Easter (Sermon 45). This is the most important patristic work on the topic of the Sacrifice of the Cross and Atonement (in addition, the entire system of Christian theology is briefly given here). See also: Words (1912 ed.)