ST. GREGORY NAZIANZEN, DOCTOR, ON CHRISM
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- Dec 27, 2013
- 1 min read
St. Gregory Nazianzen, whose Memorial we celebrate on January 2, was a 4th century Patriarch (Bishop) of Constantinople and known as a great teacher and orator.
St. Gregory was one of the first four Doctors named by the Eastern Church, (along with St. Athenasius, St. Basil, and St. John Chrysostom.)
Of his many theological works and impressive letters is a clear treatment of the meaning and importance of the Chrism used at a Christian baptism. This small excerpt, from (paragraph 4) the Lecture on Chrism, as a prescription, is a worthy assignment.
“For as Christ after His Baptism, and the visitation of the Holy Ghost, went forth and vanquished the adversary, so likewise you, after Holy Baptism and the Mystical Chrism, having put on the whole armour of the Holy Spirit, are to stand against the power of the adversary, and vanquish it, saying, I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)
So consider the following:
Have you ever considered the receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit, those who have been baptized, as a “putting on the whole armour of the Holy Spirit” as taught by St. Gregory?
What is your responsibility as one who is baptized?
When you examine your conscience daily, do you plot ways to avoid and, when necessary, stand against Satan the adversary?
St. Basil the Great, pray for us.
Peace,
Deacon Tom Gotschall, The Deacon Dad at:
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