Catholic Saints – St. Gregory of Nazianzus

Hosted by Taylor Kemp (A) with Dr. Christopher Mooney (B), January 2, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of “Catholic Saints” delves into the life, character, and theological significance of St. Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the early Church Fathers and a towering figure in Christian history. Host Taylor Kemp and guest Dr. Christopher Mooney from the Augustine Institute discuss Gregory’s biography, spiritual journey, personal qualities (both his virtues and his “prickly” character), and above all, his monumental contributions to theology—especially the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation. The episode aims to inspire listeners to appreciate Gregory as a model for preaching, theological reflection, and personal conversion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biographical Sketch and Context

• Gregory’s Background:

  • Born around 330 AD and died around 390 AD (00:25)
  • Lived in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey)
  • His father was a bishop, which was less uncommon before clerical celibacy was firmly established (00:56)

• Education and Conversion:

  • Received elite education, traveled throughout the Eastern Roman Empire
  • Experienced a personal conversion during a storm on his way to Athens, committing his life to Christ (01:16)

• Friendships and Early Influences:

  • Close friends with Basil of Caesarea (another Cappadocian Father) and classmate to Julian the Apostate (01:58)
  • Emphasized Gregory’s personal spiritual awakening, despite a Christian upbringing, as a second, more mature commitment to Christ (02:28)

2. Monastic Leanings and Reluctant Clergy

• After returning home, led a semi-monastic, contemplative life with Basil
• Reluctantly ordained by his father, initially fleeing from the responsibility before returning (02:28)
• Became bishop of Constantinople; attended the Second Ecumenical Council (Council of Constantinople, 381 AD) but despised the politics and resigned, returning to Nazianzus until his death (03:14)

3. Gregory’s Complex Personality

• Not always admired by historians for his personality; could be difficult, held grudges, and was very self-revealing in his writings (04:36)
• Notable quote (Lionel Wickham):

  “Indeed, of all the great patristic writers, Latin and Greek, Gregory is second only to Augustine of Hippo in the degree of self-revelation he permits himself, if less often to his advantage. For if I could wish to have known Augustine even better, I feel I know Gregory enough.” (05:00)

• Gregory’s flaws serve as a reminder: “psychology is not an impediment to sanctity” (05:36)

4. Gregory as ‘The Theologian’

• In the Eastern tradition, only three people bear the title “Theologian”:
  1. St. John the Apostle
  2. St. Gregory of Nazianzus
  3. St. Simeon the New Theologian (07:01)
• Gregory’s status as “Theologian” in the East is comparable to Augustine’s influence in the West (07:16)

5. Defender of the Trinity and Preaching Excellence

• Profound impact on the doctrine of the Trinity and championed its defense against heresies

• Renowned for oratory skill and passionate, rhetorical preaching—the finest among the Church Fathers, in Dr. Mooney’s view (07:45–08:00)

• Memorable excerpt from Oration 38 (Christmas Homily):

  “Christ is born. Give glory. Christ is from the heavens. Go to meet him. Christ is on earth. Be lifted up. ... The fleshless one takes flesh. The Word is made coarse. The invisible one is seen. ... Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and for the ages.” (08:00–09:47)

• Gregory viewed his preaching itself as a “feast,” offering the faithful “the word and the divine law and narratives” as their true Christian luxury (10:12)

6. Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Gregory shows us that great preaching is both a theological and pastoral act; he weds deep doctrine with spiritual nourishment (11:05)
• Encourages prayer for “more preachers, for people who love to preach the word” – proposing Gregory as a potential “patron saint of preachers” (12:30)

7. Gregory’s Counsel for Everyday Christians

• Gregory urges Christians to “feed on the Word”—both Scripture and Christ the Word Incarnate (13:31)

• Emphasizes the importance of holding fast to doctrinal truth as foundational to the Christian life (14:36)

• Notable quote on the Incarnation:

  “That which is not assumed is not healed. But what is united with God is also being saved. ... He is united to the whole of what was born and is being saved in whole.” (16:04–17:10)

  • Gregory’s point: Jesus assumed full humanity so that every part of fallen humanity could be redeemed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gregory’s Personal Conversion:
  “[He] had a major conversion during a storm. He prayed that he would dedicate his entire life to Christ.” (01:16)

• On Gregory’s Character:
  “Some of the Saints are Prickly ... psychology is not an impediment to sanctity.” (05:00–05:36)

• On Gregory as ‘The Theologian’:
  “As St. Augustine is to the West, Gregory is to the East.” (07:16)

• On Gregory’s Preaching:

  “Christ is born. Give glory. Christ is from the heavens. Go to meet him. ... Christ comes from a virgin. Women practice virginity that you may become mothers of Christ ... Again the darkness is dissolved. Again the light is established.” (08:15–09:45) — Oration 38

• On Christian ‘Feasting’:

  “Let us have as our luxury the Word and the divine law and narratives ... that our luxury may be akin and not foreign to the one who has called us.” (10:12)

• On the Importance of Preaching:
  “We should pray to Gregory for more preachers, for people who love to preach the word.” (12:20)

• On Doctrinal Clarity and Salvation:

  “That which is not assumed is not healed ... Christ assumed the whole in order to save the whole.” (16:04–17:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brief Biography and Early Life: 00:25–01:58
• Gregory’s Conversion and Education: 01:16–02:16
• Reluctant Ordination and Career: 02:28–03:14
• Gregory’s Complex Personality/Scholar’s Views: 04:36–05:36
• The Title ‘Theologian’ & Gregory’s Peers: 06:39–07:16
• Defense of the Trinity & Preaching Legacy: 07:41–11:05
• The Example and Pastoral Lessons for Today: 12:30–13:31
• Doctrinal Truth & Incarnation Quote: 14:36–17:10

Final Thoughts

Dr. Mooney and Taylor Kemp present St. Gregory of Nazianzus as a deeply human, relatable saint—talented, complicated, passionate, and a luminous teacher. His story encourages listeners to trust that even imperfect personalities can be saints, to cherish both sound doctrine and beautiful preaching, and to cultivate a personal encounter with Christ similar to Gregory’s own conversion.

Listeners are invited to:

• Reflect on the importance of powerful, scriptural preaching
• Pray for more passionate preachers in the Church
• Value personal commitment to Christ
• Remember Gregory’s profound teaching: Christ healed all of humanity by taking all of humanity upon Himself

“Christ assumed the whole in order to save the whole.” (16:04–17:10)

For further daily Scripture engagement, the episode encourages listeners to access Dr. Tim Gray’s daily reflections at daily.formed.org.