Gregory Thaumaturgus
Gregory the Wonderworker, Greek Gregorios Thaumaturgos ( Γρηγόριος Θαυματουργός ), and Gregory of Neocaesarea (c. 210 in Neocaesarea; † 270 in Neocaesarea ) was a Greek from Asia Minor bishop and theologian of the early Church. He contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity in the region of Pontus. His writings are important for the Church's teaching development before the Council of Nicaea. The Orthodox and Catholic churches venerate him as a saint ( Remembrance Day: November 17 ).
Life
Gregor came from an influential family in pagan Neocaesarea on the Black Sea. After the first rhetorical and legal studies he made in the early 230s years with his brother Athenodoros on the way to Berytus in Syria, to continue his education. As they traveled through Caesarea in Judea, they learned the famous Christian philosophers and theological teachers know Origen. Meanwhile, human and intellectual charisma, she won for Christianity. Rather than travel on to Berytus, they remained five years as his disciples with him.
After 238, Gregory decided to return to his homeland. When they parted, he delivered a panegyric speech of thanks to his teacher that has been handed down in writing and contains valuable information on teaching content and methods of Origen. It is the longest surviving work of Gregory.
After 240 Gregory was appointed bishop of the still small Christian community of Neocaesarea and consecrated by Phaidimos of Amaseia. In his more than thirty year term, the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius fell ( by 250 ), which he escaped by flight, and a bloody Goteneinfall (around 255). Gregory took part in the 260s years in the teaching condemnation proceedings against Paul of Samosata.
The life and ministry leadership of Gregory was powerful and convincing. When he took office, it is in his episcopal city have given no more than seventeen Christians, at his death, but only seventeen pagans.
The most important biography of Gregory wrote Gregory of Nyssa, whose grandmother Macrina had been a pupil of the Bishop of Neocaesarea, a century after his death. The miracles described therein procured the bishop the legendary nickname miracle worker, but also reflect its continued relevance to the Asia Minor Church.
Gregory of Nyssa also narrated that Gregory the Wonderworker have received its later widespread symbol of faith in a vision on the instructions of the Virgin Mary by the Apostle John. It is the oldest report of a Marian apparition.
Works
- Symbol of faith, a short teaching text, which contributed significantly to Gregory's reputation as a theologian, but possibly comes from Gregory of Nyssa; Full text in English
- Speech of thanks to Origen ( Εἰς Ὠριγένην προσφωνητικὸς καὶ πανηγυρικὸς λόγος ); Full text in English
- Canonical Letter on issues of pastoral and penitential practice, written after the Goteneinfall
- At Theopompus, teaching writing about the impassibility of God and the ability to suffer
- Presentation of the faith ( Ἔκθεσις τῆς κατὰ μέρος πίστεως ); Full text in English
- Various uncertain attributed, partly fragmentary texts, including at Philagrius about the consubstantiality