Gregory of Nazianzus

329–330 to 389–390 · Doctor 1568

Origin: Arianzus near Nazianzus
Historical identity: Greek-speaking Cappadocian / Eastern Roman
Affiliation: Eastern monastic tradition

Life and work

Cappadocian theologian, poet and bishop. His orations on the Trinity were especially influential; his life alternated between education, pastoral responsibility and withdrawal for contemplation.

Places and activities

Arianzus (unlocated birthplace)

c. 329-330

Born at Arianzus; the locality is left unplotted.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Caesarea in Cappadocia

c. 340s

Studied and formed his friendship with Basil.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Alexandria

c. 340s-350s; undated study period

Continued his education in Alexandria.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Athens

c. 350s

Studied rhetoric and philosophy with Basil.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Constantinople

379-381

Preached the theological orations and briefly led the church.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Nazianzus

c. 381-383

Returned to administer the local church before retiring.

Benedict XVI: Gregory of Nazianzus

Journeys

c. 381-383: Withdrew from Constantinople and returned to pastoral work near home.

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Gregory of Nazianzus

Primary sources

Further reading

Wikipedia

Gregory of Nazianzus

Dates and research notes

Years are historical biographical dates; an approximate label on a place record remains approximate.

Selected sourced locations; not a complete itinerary. All geographic coordinates are approximate.

Lifetime associations, not citizenship or a claim that all affiliations were held simultaneously.

Official modern biographical overview; not contemporary evidence for the saint's travels.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1910. Biographical article.

Primary text or author archive. Its presence in the bibliography does not by itself support every map claim.

Oxford University Press, 2011. Recommended reference; consult the relevant entry and its bibliography. Not treated as read evidence for individual seed claims.

Updated 2026-11-01