Apostleship of Prayer - Saints

January 2 - Gregory Nazianzen

Gregory was born near Nazianzus in the same year as Basil the Great, 330. He traveled much in search of knowledge. He gladly accepted the invitation of Basil to join him in his newly founded monastery. His father called Gregory from the monastery to help him in his own see. It seems that he was reluctantly forced to become a priest. He was made bishop of Caesarea and at once came into conflict with the Roman Emperor, Valens. Valens was supporting the Arian heresy. In 381 he became the Archbishop of Constantinople. This city had been under the influence of Arianism for over thirty years. Over the years he rebuilt the faith there. His last days were spent in Nazianzus where he wrote poetry and theology. He died in 390.

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