Gregory
of Nazianzus was a personality of first rank in the complex world of the 4th
Christian Century. Famous for his theological orations and for his role in the
development of the second ecumenical council in 381 in Constantinople where he
was the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, he was one of the most celebrated
poets of his time even though today he is known in particular for his major
contributions to the establishment of the Orthodox theology that was confronted
with the heresies of that time.
The
intention of the book is to help the reader discover not the theologian but the
poet in Gregory as his poetry is the place where one can see not the saint but
the human, all too human aspect of his personality.
Thus, the
book brings a significant contribution to the scholarship on Gregory the
Theologian, one that brings to light and emphasizes new defining
characteristics of his life, thought and practice.
The book
is a window into the poetry of the ancient world in general and into the less
known poetical performance of one of its most important Christian
representatives.
“Theodor
Damian does us a great service in this book by reminding us what a fine poet
Gregory was. A well-known and successful poet himself, Prof. Damian is able to
enter into the heart as well as the mindset of Gregory’s World” (John McGuckin)
The book
presents interest to those who specialize and ancient poetry, philosophy and
theology as it is written by a contemporary poet and theologian with a long
experience of teaching philosophy and ethics.
