Saint Gregory the Theologian (of Nazianzus)
A poet who loved quiet, called to defend the Trinity in Constantinople, which he won back to the true faith through a few discourses. One of the very few the Church has named “the Theologian.”
- Commemoration
- January 25
- Repose
- † 390
Life
He was born around 329, in Cappadocia, from a holy family — both his father and his mother are honored as saints. He studied in the best schools, up to Athens, where he bound an unforgettable friendship with Saint Basil the Great. They were, he used to say, like a single soul in two bodies. By nature he was a withdrawn man, a lover of quiet and prayer, more a poet than a fighter.
But the times demanded fighters. When the heresy of Arius, which denied the divinity of Christ, had engulfed almost everything, Gregory was called to Constantinople, into a city nearly emptied of the true faith. Out of a tiny church, through a few speeches of astounding beauty and depth, he turned the city back to the faith of the Holy Trinity. For this he was called “The Theologian” — a name the Church gave only to a very few.
He never liked power. As soon as quarrels and intrigues arose, he willingly renounced the seat of Constantinople and withdrew in peace, to spend his last years in prayer and poetry. He fell asleep around 390. He is one of the Three Great Hierarchs, alongside Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.
Saint Gregory the Theologian, who spoke about God more purely than all, enlighten my mind to believe rightly, and my heart to remain silent and pray when I must. Pray for me. Amen.
Prayer (in simple words)
Saint Gregory, you loved silence, but you spoke when the Church needed you, and you kept silent when glory sought you out. Teach me too this balance: not to run from my duty out of fear, but neither to seek to show myself off. Help me to know God not just with the mind, but with a pure heart, because you said that only the pure can speak of the Pure One. Pray to God for me. Amen.
Akathist
Prayers read before any Akathist
Kontakion 1
Come all you faithful with spiritual praises to beatify the great Hierarch and defender of the Holy Trinity, and taking words of praise from the spring of his teachings, let us sing to him thus: Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Oikos 1
Let the three-light gift of the Most Holy Trinity illumine us today, so that we may bring worthy songs of praise to the memory of the glorious one, the corrector and teacher of the true faith, saying:
- Rejoice, initiate of the mysteries of the Holy Trinity;
- Rejoice, servant of the heavenly King;
- Rejoice, strengthening of the true faith;
- Rejoice, most luminous star of the Church;
- Rejoice, shining heavenly morning star;
- Rejoice, distributor of spiritual myrrh;
- Rejoice, luminary of the Trinity among the Hierarchs;
- Rejoice, beloved friend of the great Basil;
- Rejoice, holy offspring, born of glorious parents;
- Rejoice, faithful servant of Christ;
- Rejoice, holy and most beautiful treasure;
- Rejoice, for the Holy Trinity made its dwelling in your heart;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 2
With the peoples running to you and knowing the true path to heaven from your teachings, place in the light of the Holy Trinity those who with fear and pure love sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Loving purity and continence, as you saw in a vision that two honorable virgins named themselves, and from them you learned the blameless life, for which we honor you thus:
- Rejoice, shepherd of virginity;
- Rejoice, lover of continence;
- Rejoice, honorer of asceticism;
- Rejoice, exhorter to almsgiving;
- Rejoice, you who cut off the passions with the sword of continence;
- Rejoice, for you guided your sheep to the pasture of good deeds;
- Rejoice, for you saved them from the darkness of hell;
- Rejoice, for from the spring of your labors you watered your flock;
- Rejoice, for you made yourself an example through the light of good deeds;
- Rejoice, for you followed the humility of Christ;
- Rejoice, for you were the first to bear the light burden of Christ;
- Rejoice, for then you showed it to others;
- Rejoice, for through your sweats and labors you cleansed the Church of Christ;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 3
Gentle in character from childhood, you showed yourself to be an elder, distancing yourself from the spectacles and amusements of worldly vanities, and learning propriety from your mother, in the Church of God you glorified day and night, singing: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Being full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, you chased away the wicked heresy of Macedonius, the blasphemer of the Holy Spirit, and putting him to shame you removed him from the Church, and strengthening the orthodox believers, returning the wandering ones, you sanctified them with the seal of the Holy Spirit, and they being illumined, sang:
- Rejoice, good shepherd;
- Rejoice, chaser of heresies;
- Rejoice, for you put Macedonius to shame;
- Rejoice, for you shattered the trumpet of his heresies;
- Rejoice, unerring path of the orthodox;
- Rejoice, luminous preacher of the holy faith;
- Rejoice, co-worker with the Great Basil;
- Rejoice, blossoming tree in the house of the Lord;
- Rejoice, destroyer of heresies;
- Rejoice, distributor of the Gifts of Christ;
- Rejoice, defender of the faithful;
- Rejoice, warm protector of all;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 4
The man-loving Jesus, Who clothed His Apostles in Jerusalem with power from on high, gave you a mighty power over spirits and heresies, to chase them away and to bring His holy Church to Him like an adorned bride, singing: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
Apollinaris having a great storm and strange heresy, wrongly understanding the Incarnation of the Lord, and drawing everyone to perdition, you chased him far from your flock, and strengthening the dogma of the Incarnation of the Word of God, you preached the One born of the Virgin, and honoring you, we say:
- Rejoice, our luminary;
- Rejoice, ray of our salvation;
- Rejoice, keeper of the true faith;
- Rejoice, lampstand with golden light;
- Rejoice, adornment of the Hierarchs;
- Rejoice, joy and peace of the Church;
- Rejoice, unshatterable rock;
- Rejoice, unshakable tower of the Church;
- Rejoice, strong fortress against the enemies;
- Rejoice, weapon against the passions;
- Rejoice, honored mind;
- Rejoice, pure vessel of the Lord's gifts;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 5
The cunning enemy seeing the rest of the Church, poured out upon you temptations, tribulations, and persecutions, but you with the grace of Christ exposed the machinations of the one skilled in wickedness, and like a victor you sang: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
The people understanding your departure from them, raised voices of weeping, saying: O! Father! Going away from us, you take the Holy Trinity with you and the blessing will leave the City. And considering themselves orphans, they said thus:
- Rejoice, nourisher of the poor;
- Rejoice, servant of the sick;
- Rejoice, rest of the strangers;
- Rejoice, consolation of the elderly;
- Rejoice, help of the afflicted;
- Rejoice, deliverer of the oppressed;
- Rejoice, brave victor;
- Rejoice, cleanser of heresies;
- Rejoice, cleanser of the chaff of heresies;
- Rejoice, burning with the spirit in the service of God;
- Rejoice, ladder that raises us all to heaven;
- Rejoice, you who with fatherly love opened mercy to all who came to you;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 6
You showed yourself wonderful among the Hierarchs, for your mouth like a sling chased away all heresies and you plucked all cunning machinations from the hearts of the faithful; for this the Church together with them sings: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
The most wise orators could not stand against your burning words, when you showed in the Church the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, and we, rejoicing, sing:
- Rejoice, sanctified head;
- Rejoice, mind flying in the heavenly spheres;
- Rejoice, sleepless eye;
- Rejoice, invincible soldier;
- Rejoice, speaker with the angels;
- Rejoice, companion with the Apostles;
- Rejoice, dancer with the Martyrs;
- Rejoice, co-worker with the Confessors;
- Rejoice, savior of those who repent;
- Rejoice, corrector of sinners;
- Rejoice, spiritual nourisher;
- Rejoice, bodiless laborer;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 7
The divine proclamation of your words surrounded the earth like lightning, teaching all to worship the Trinity in unity and the unity in Trinity, singing: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
Desiring the wisdom from above, the Almighty gave you the crown of gifts and added to you the beauty of words. So we, taking from your words, bring you this song:
- Rejoice, luminous sun;
- Rejoice, seer of the mysteries of God;
- Rejoice, for together with the Martyrs you confessed;
- Rejoice, for together with the Venerables you magnified Christ;
- Rejoice, for the seven councils were strengthened by your words;
- Rejoice, sword of fire that cuts the heresies;
- Rejoice, scalpel that cleanses unhealed wounds;
- Rejoice, guarantor of sinners for salvation;
- Rejoice, for you took the light from the ray of the Holy Spirit;
- Rejoice, for in the city of the Hierarchs you shine like a morning star;
- Rejoice, the good friend of the Great Basil;
- Rejoice, for both of you left deep teachings in the world;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 8
All the song brought to your memory cannot bring the due thanksgiving for the many and beautiful labors with which you adorned the Church, and you left salvation to your flock, for which we sing to you: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Being rich in wisdom and beautifully speaking, you poured out on earth the good seed of the Holy Scriptures, for this we honor your memory, saying:
- Rejoice, most wise;
- Rejoice, most blessed;
- Rejoice, honored Hierarch;
- Rejoice, adornment of the Church;
- Rejoice, heavenly mouth;
- Rejoice, apostolic mind;
- Rejoice, holy offspring;
- Rejoice, faithful servant of Christ;
- Rejoice, seer of divine mysteries;
- Rejoice, most sweet theologian;
- Rejoice, intercessor to God;
- Rejoice, father of the Church;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 9
Being completely united with the ray of the Spirit, you, sanctified father, lived outside the world, and now being illumined in the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, rejoicing, we bring you a song: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
Finishing your life's journey in many labors and tribulations, you passed to the Lord. So, as a friend of the Holy Trinity, make a prayer for us, who sing to you:
- Rejoice, for you were a great dogmatist for the Holy Trinity;
- Rejoice, you who taught that the Spirit proceeds from the Father;
- Rejoice, for together with the Father and the Son, you showed a single ruling Trinity;
- Rejoice, worker of the Savior's mystery;
- Rejoice, chanter of the Church's service;
- Rejoice, beautifully speaking to the people;
- Rejoice, receiver of the Holy Spirit;
- Rejoice, for you taught the constitution of essence and nature;
- Rejoice, for you showed yourself a theologian of the Trinity;
- Rejoice, you who through your words, remained the spring and the sweetness of the Church;
- Rejoice, you who with zeal laid down your life for us;
- Rejoice, for you overthrew the evil one;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 10
"The Word of God glorified by angelic songs was well pleased to become poor for us," the great Hierarch said to the peoples, "and the Son born of the Virgin taught us to sing: Alleluia!".
Oikos 10
The fiery arrows of the heretics in the form of a flame quench with your holy prayers, that being saved we may honor you with praises like these:
- Rejoice, holy treasure of the Church;
- Rejoice, initiate of heavenly things;
- Rejoice, for your memory is full of gladness;
- Rejoice, for you were full of divine grace;
- Rejoice, for you were deified;
- Rejoice, for God revealed awesome mysteries to you;
- Rejoice, for the Word of the Father revealed to you the Mystery of His Incarnation;
- Rejoice, for theology taught you through its angel;
- Rejoice, for you showed yourself the adornment of the Church;
- Rejoice, for now you have acquired the glory of God;
- Rejoice, for you showed the barren earth bearing flowers;
- Rejoice, for you poured a sanctified gift from your lips;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 11
Having your mind illumined with measureless desert, you kept it pure from all earthly care, and crossing the depths of the Spirit in gladness, you rejoice now singing: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
With divine and supernatural power you taught, Hierarch Gregory, illumining us all and teaching us to sing thus:
- Rejoice, Gregory, adornment of the Hierarchs;
- Rejoice, clear interpreter of the Old Scripture;
- Rejoice, beautiful speaker of the New Testament;
- Rejoice, defender of the Trinity;
- Rejoice, discoverer of Dogmas;
- Rejoice, teacher of divine mysteries;
- Rejoice, healer of the sick;
- Rejoice, comforter of the sorrowful;
- Rejoice, deliverer of the oppressed;
- Rejoice, help of those in temptations;
- Rejoice, visitor of those in prisons;
- Rejoice, you who easily forgive those who have sinned;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 12
We praise your wisdom, we honor your labors, we sing your memory, in which the Church, adorning itself with songs, together with the people illumined by your teachings, thankfully sings to God: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
With joy the heavenly hosts sing, meeting you, receiving you and bowing down to the Holy Trinity: "Enter into the joy of your Lord". Hear us too, who pray you to make a prayer for all the world, so that the Church may be kept from needs and heresies, that being kept with the grace of God, we may sing to you:
- Rejoice, sole keeper of your laws;
- Rejoice, wall of defense of the Church;
- Rejoice, gentle haven of those tossed about in ignorance;
- Rejoice, for you opened the door of salvation to all;
- Rejoice, for you luminously showed the right path;
- Rejoice, for you lead us all by the hand to heaven;
- Rejoice, our protector;
- Rejoice, prompt helper;
- Rejoice, for you made yourself obedient to all, in order to acquire all;
- Rejoice, good shepherd of your sheep;
- Rejoice, savior of our souls;
- Rejoice, helper of our bodies;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 13
O, most wise Hierarch Gregory, receive this little prayer of thanksgiving of ours and take it to the throne of the divinity and ask from there peace for the world and unity for the Church, so that being kept in peace, with thanksgiving, together with you, we may sing to God: Alleluia! (This kontakion is said three times.)
Then Oikos 1 is said again: Let the three-light gift..., Kontakion 1: Come all you faithful..., and the dismissal is made.
Oikos 1
Let the three-light gift of the Most Holy Trinity illumine us today, so that we may bring worthy songs of praise to the memory of the glorious one, the corrector and teacher of the true faith, saying:
- Rejoice, initiate of the mysteries of the Holy Trinity;
- Rejoice, servant of the heavenly King;
- Rejoice, strengthening of the true faith;
- Rejoice, most luminous star of the Church;
- Rejoice, shining heavenly morning star;
- Rejoice, distributor of spiritual myrrh;
- Rejoice, luminary of the Trinity among the Hierarchs;
- Rejoice, beloved friend of the great Basil;
- Rejoice, holy offspring, born of glorious parents;
- Rejoice, faithful servant of Christ;
- Rejoice, holy and most beautiful treasure;
- Rejoice, for the Holy Trinity made its dwelling in your heart;
- Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Kontakion 1
Come all you faithful with spiritual praises to beatify the great Hierarch and defender of the Holy Trinity, and taking words of praise from the spring of his teachings, let us sing to him thus: Rejoice, Gregory, Theologian!
Source: Doxologia.ro. Prayer text taken from public Orthodox sources; rights remain with their authors and translators. Devotional, non-commercial use. May be removed on request.