Become light, and then give light: draw near to God, and so bring others near; St. Gregory the Theologian

St. Gregory the Theologian

The wounded Eagles of Theology

Here is a lovely passage from Oration 2 ,”In Defence of His Flight to Pontus, and His Return, After His Ordination to the Priesthood, with an Exposition of the Character of the Priestly Office”

For indeed the very best order of beginning every speech and action, is to begin from God, and to end in God.

For the guiding of man, the most variable and manifold of creatures, seems to me in very deed to be the art of artsand science of sciences.

But the scope of our art is to provide the soul with wings, to rescue it from the world and give it to God, and to watch over that which is in His image,(Genesis 1:26) if it abides, to take it by the hand, if it is in danger, or restore it, if ruined, to make Christ to dwell in the heart (Ephesians 3:17) by the Spirit: and, in short, to deify, and bestow heavenlybliss upon, one who belongs to the heavenly host.

That vain glory is a great hindrance to men’s attainment of virtue.

A man must himself be cleansed, before cleansing others: himself become wise, that he may make others wise; become light, and then give light: draw near to God, and so bring others near; be hallowed, then hallow them; be possessed of hands to lead others by the hand, of wisdom to give advice.

Apolytikion St. Gregory the Theologian. First Tone

The pastoral flute of your theology conquered the trumpets of orators. For it called upon the depths of the Spirit and you were enriched with the beauty of words. Intercede to Christ our God, O Father Gregory, that our souls may be saved.

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