scholarly journals Eros and Distance: Transformation of Desire in St Gregory of Nyssa*

2021 ◽  
pp. 101-121
Author(s):  
Vladimir Cvetkovic
Keyword(s):  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Distance Transformation ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Temporal Interval ◽  
Inherent Characteristic ◽  
Middle Period ◽  
Good And Evil ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Second Coming

The paper aims to analyze the relation between the notion of love or desire (eros) for God, and the notion of distance (diastema) between God and the created beings in the works of St Gregory of Nyssa. These two notions are interrelated on different levels, because distance that separates God from the created beings is traversed out of desire for God of the latter. First, the distance as temporal interval will be investigated, which separates the present day from the Second Coming of Christ, which is elaborated by Gregory in his early work On Virginity. The focus will then be shifted to the distance between good and evil, that Gregory explicates in the works of his middle period such as On the making of man, Against Eunomius III and The Great Catechetical Oration. Finally, the distance as an inherent characteristic of created nature that never disappears will be analyzed by focusing on Gregory’s later works, such as Homilies on the Song of Songs, On perfection and The Life of Moses.

The Workshop

2020 ◽  
pp. 205-232
Author(s):  
Morwenna Ludlow
Keyword(s):  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa

The first part of this chapter shows how Gregory of Nyssa construes his relationships with his teachers in textual terms: the things he writes are the proof both that he is a good student of his teacher, and that he is ready to graduate from their instruction. This same model is also found in his interpretation of the bride in the Song of Songs, who is depicted as a teacher (didaskalos) and a figure of Paul and the apostles. This suggests that one should see authors in a network, and as concerned with the production of things—namely texts. The second part of the chapter extends this to argue that one can see, for example, the Cappadocians, as functioning as a literary workshop. The ancient concept of workshop (ergasterion) is examined alongside the Cappadocians’ own use of the term, literally and figuratively.

scholarly journals “The Ascent of Nature from the Lower to the Perfect”

Scrinium ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-217
Author(s):  
Dmitry Biriukov
Keyword(s):  
Related Topic ◽  
Direct Impact ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Hierarchical Levels ◽  
Different Levels

It is suggested that for building his hierarchy of beings Gregory of Nyssa followed two strategies: the strategy of dividing genera and species with the entire “existing” as the summit of' the hierarchy, and the strategy of taking the uncreated nature to be the summit of the hierarchy. The evolutionary ascent of natural species and the related topic of the hierarchical taxonomy of being in Gregory of Nyssa’s De opificio hominis 8 are examined. It is argued, against K. Reinhardt, G. Ladner, and a number of other scholars, that the influence of Posidonius on this topic in Gregory is not sufficiently well-founded. A brief overview of the taxonomies elaborated by several philosophers of Antiquity is provided. The general conclusion is that the Tree of Porphyry had a direct impact on the classification of beings in Gregory. Alongside this, Gregory seems to manifest Aris­to­telian, Platonic, and, particularly, Stoic trends. In contrast to previous studies which have only pointed to the similarity between Gregory and Porphyry’s systems without sufficient reasoning on details of it, it is investigated in what sense the similarity is, and it is shown that there are also some significant differences between their ordering of different levels. A suggestion is made as to why Gregory altered the order of hierarchical levels in comparison to that of Porphyry.


Gregory of Nyssa’s Christological Exegesis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Beeley
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Biblical Exegesis ◽  
Middle Period ◽  
The Trinity

Gregory’s biblical exegesis attracts interest chiefly for the allegorical method demonstrated in his Life of Moses and Homilies on the Song of Songs. While many have noted Gregory’s indebtedness to Origen, equally telling are the connections between Gregory’s late exegesis and the dogmatic works of the middle period of his career, above all the Contra Eunomium and Antirrheticus adversus Apollinariam, as well as his early works on the Trinity. This chapter gives an account of Gregory’s overall approach to Christological predication and divine impassibility and the metaphysical and ascetical commitments involved therein. It argues that Gregory’s doctrine and exegetical method were solidly established by the time of the dogmatic controversies with the Eunomians and Apollinarians, years before he turned to the great stories of the Old Testament. It shows also that, while Gregory’s debt to Origen is considerable, his doctrine and exegesis generally follows its own rationale, which both resembles and yet differs in important ways from that of the master.

La Vita di Macrina e le Omelie sul Cantico dei Cantici di Gregorio di Nissa

Augustinianum ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-83
Author(s):  
Roberta Franchi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mystical Experience ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Mystical Union

This article analyzes the Life of Macrina by comparing it with the mystical experience of the bride in the Commentary on the Song of Songs, both works written by Gregory of Nyssa. In the Life of Macrina, Gregory adopts the same imagery that he uses to portray the bride in the Commentary on the Song of Songs in order to emphasize Macrina’s angelic status and her pure love for God. Although scholars have pointed out the value of virginity in the life of Macrina, another aspect has to be taken into account: her spousal virginity. Since Gregory uses the paradox within theological reflection and a theological context, Macrina's condition as bride of Christ comes to be realized paradoxically through her choice of virginity. Thanks to her spousal virginity, she joins Christ as His bride. Thus, in keeping with the Commentary on the Song of Songs, Macrina is the bride, Christ is the Bridegroom, and the mystical union is reached.

The Meaning of Grace in the Writings of Gregory of Nyssa

1962 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Dunstone
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
General Attitude ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Royal Authority ◽  
Good And Evil ◽  
The Universe ◽  
The Church

There is a renewed interest in the relations between the Eastern and Western parts of the Church; and some have been surprised at the affinities of thought between the two. In a study of the Atonement in Gregory of Nyssa, the following examination was made of the meanings of the word Grace in his writings. It may be of interest to others who are working towards a closer understanding of the thought of the Eastern Fathers.I. From God's side(a) Grace may be used to point to the general attitude of kindly favour that God displayed to all creation and to mankind in particular. Verb and noun are both employed to indicate the distinction between man and all other animals, over whom he was given a royal authority. The potentiality in man for both good and evil is greater than in any other part of the universe. (b) This Fatherly care did not cease at creation, but is visible throughout the Old Testament history. It was present at Sinai; and spoke freely and often through the prophets, as when, under Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah fought single-handed against the prophets of Baal; and we even have the phrase reminding us of the Pauline charisma. Gregory often speaks of the Grace of God, much more commonly in fact than of His love.

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