Gregory the Miracle Worker

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Gregory the Miracle Worker, icon , 14th century

Gregory the Wonderworker , Greek Gregorios Thaumaturgos (Γρηγόριος Θαυματουργός), also Gregory of Neocäsarea (* around 210 in Neocäsarea ; † around 270 in Neocäsarea) was a Greek - Asia Minor theologian and bishop of the ancient church . He contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity in the Pontos region . His writings are important for the development of the Church's teaching prior to the Council of Nicaea . The Orthodox and Catholic Churches venerate him as a saint (Remembrance Day: November 17th ).

Life

Gregor came from an influential pagan family in Neocäsarea on the Black Sea . After his first rhetorical and legal studies, he set off with his brother Athenodoros in the early 230s to Berytos in Syria to continue his education. As they traveled through Caesarea in Judea , they met the famous Christian philosopher and theological teacher Origen . She won its human and intellectual charisma for Christianity. Instead of traveling on to Berytos, they stayed with him as his students for five years.

After 238 Gregor decided to return to his homeland. On parting, he gave a panegyric speech of thanks to his teacher, which has been handed down in writing and contains valuable information about the content and methods of Origen's teaching. It is the longest surviving work by Gregory.

After 240, Gregory was appointed bishop of the still small Christian community of Neocäsarea and consecrated by Phaidimos of Amaseia . The persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (around 250), whom he escaped by fleeing, and a bloody Goth invasion (around 255) occurred during his thirty-year term in office . Gregor took part in the teaching conviction trial against Paul of Samosata in the 260s.

Gregor's conduct of life and office was powerful and convincing. When he took office there were supposedly no more than seventeen Christians in his episcopal city, but only seventeen pagans when he died.

The most important biography of Gregory was written by Gregory of Nyssa , whose grandmother Makrina had been a student of the Bishop of Neocäsarea, a century after his death. The miracles described therein gave the bishop the legendary nickname miracle worker , but they also reflect his continuing importance for the Church of Asia Minor.

Gregory of Nyssa also narrates that Gregory the miracle worker received his symbol of faith, which later became widespread, in a vision through the apostle John on the instruction of Mary, the mother of God . It is the oldest account of an apparition of Mary .

Works

  • Faith Symbol , a short teaching text that contributed significantly to Gregory's reputation as a theologian, but possibly originated 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 questions of pastoral care and penitential practice, written after the invasion of the Goths
  • To Theopompus , teaching letter on God's inability to suffer and God's ability to suffer
  • Exposition of faith (Ἔκθεσις τῆς κατὰ μέρος πίστεως); Full text in English
  • various uncertainly ascribed, partly fragmentary texts, including An Philagrius on essence equality

literature

Web links

Commons : Gregory the Wonderworker  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f TRE
  2. ↑ Altaner / Stuiber; TRE: "Pontus"
  3. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia
  4. ↑ Altaner / Stuiber
  5. ↑ https://books.google.de/books?id=Cy2uaqZO1R8C&pg=PA253&lpg=PA253&dq=Gregor+der+Wundert%C3%A4ter+Marienerscheinung&source=bl&ots=ZXIRPYWkGN&sig=ACfU3U3jfxCR3lIqiaATuGZiuscfGnkM0Q&hl=de&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGwt6-6vnnAhWSy6QKHWSKAtoQ6AEwD3oECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q = Gregor% 20der% 20Wundert% C3% A4ter% 20Marienerscheinung & f = false  ; mariedenazareth.com ( Memento from January 28, 2013 in the web archive archive.today ) a German version of the report by Gregors von Nyssa
personal data
SURNAME Gregory the Miracle Worker
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gregorios Thaumaturgos; Gregory of Neocesarea
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Asian theologian and bishop; Saint
DATE OF BIRTH at 210
PLACE OF BIRTH Neocesarea
DATE OF DEATH at 270
Place of death Neocesarea