"But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you":1Thess:5:12
There arose in southern Asia Minor influential Christian thinkers generally called the Cappadocians. They were, Basil (called the Elder) of Caesare born around, Macrina (called the Younger), Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus. They were all born around the early 300's AD.
These, like other early Christian thinkers and
writers, do not belong to any one "ecclesiastical organization" but
to all Christians in whatever age they lived. These early leaders of the
Christian Church helped to frame what we understand to be accepted Orthodox
Christian doctrine and theology throughout the greater body of Christ.
Basil of Caesarea
Basil was from a Christian family; his
grandparents had lived in exile for their faith in Jesus. Basil had traveled to
Egypt and other lands to study the life of a monastic monk. Basil came to live
in a place called Annesi. In Annesi he and his friend Gregory of Nazianzus
created a community for men to teach service to others, which he believed was
the true basis for the monastic life.
Basil is generally considered the father of the monastic movement in the east. After six years Basil was ordained an elder, which he accepted with some hesitation. Basil found himself having a conflict with the Bishop of the Church in Caesarea. This conflict resulted in Basil returning to the monastery. Here he remained living in quiet until the Arian controversy arose again, and the Bishop of Caesarea called upon Basil to help in the conflict against Arianism.
When Basil arrived at the town of Caesarea, he found that bad weather had been hard on the crops, little food was being sold in the public markets. Some of the wealthy people of the town had bought up what had been available making shortage even worse and sending prices beyond that of the poorer people's ability to pay.
Basil preached against the selfish
practices of some of the people in the city, what little property that he
had Basil sold to help provided for those who had little or nothing.
When the Bishop of Caesarea died
Basil was chosen to replace him. Basil's election to the office of Bishop was
in part due to his ability to address Arianism. Those who embraced
Arianism saw Basil's health as a week point which they hoped to exploit.
The Emperor at that time was Valens who
favored the Arian view. Valens announced that he would visit Caesarea, those
who held to the orthodox view knew that Valens did this to lend his support to
the Arian cause and position.
Before the Emperor arrived in Caesarea,
he sent his agents ahead of him to induce Basil to agree with Arianism.
Emperor Valens offered promises of promotions and his favor in exchange for
Basil's support for the Arian view and to threats if Basil would not agree with
his views. Basil, however, would not relent and even threats of torture did not
move him.
When the Emperor arrived in the city he
made an generous offering upon the alter in the Church but none accepted
it until Basil himself came forwarded making it clear to all present that he
was in authority and not the Emperor.
From that time forward Basil wrote
expounding on the Trinitarian orthodox view within the Church. Basil would
die just before the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Gregory of Nyssa
Gregory was the younger brother of
Basil. Gregory was reserved and liked quite contemplation, yet unlike his
brother Basil, Gregory did not at, first enter the monastic life, rather
he was married, until his wife died. It was only after her death that Gregory
entered the monastic life.
Gregory sought peace and
emotional security within the confines of the monastic life. Here, Gregory had
hoped to spend his days in prayer and meditation but his brother Basil called
upon Gregory to assume the office of Bishop of the small village of Nyssa.
Accepting the role of Bishop proved
difficult for Gregory. Being a Bishop placed him in the midst of the Arian
controversy. So great was the contention with the Arians that Gregory withdrew
and went into hiding for a time.
After the death of his brother Basil in
January of 379 AD and the death of the Emperor Valens in August of 378 AD,
Gregory then emerged as one of the prime supporters of the Trinitarian
orthodox view within the Church which had come down over the years from
the Apostolic era.
Gregory attended the Council of
Constantinople in 381 AD where he carefully articulated the Trinitarian stance
on the nature of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit before those assembled.
Gregory would go on to become a
theological adviser to the Emperor Theodosius, this role demanded much
travel from Gregory who longed to be back living a quiet life in the monastic
community.
Finally, after many travels and after
the Church's historic understanding of the nature of God as the Holy Trinity
was firmly in place Gregory then was able to to return to a life of quiet. The
time and place of his death are unrecorded.
Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory had been a heretic until his
wife Nona was able to bring him into the orthodox view of the Church.
Gregory had met Basil while they were students.
As a youth Gregory was studious, he was
for a time in Caesarea then traveled to Athens Greece here he would stay there
fourteen years. There he met Basil and even the Prince Julian.
At age thirty Gregory returned to home
and entered the monastic community along with his friend Basil. Gregory would
be ordained as an elder against his wishes. He would for a time go to Basil's
community at the monastery to avoid the responsibilities of an elder but
eventually accepted the office and began his pastoral duties.
The Arian controversy continued in
which Gregory became involved. His friend Basil placed Gregory as Bishop over a
small community. Gregory felt that Basil imposed on him and their friendship
became strained.
Gregory entered into a very difficult
time both personally and spiritually. He suffered the death of several family
members including his wife, Nona. In his grief, Gregory left the
congregation over which he had been placed and went in to seclusion.
While Gregory sought for answers in his
retirement, news was sent to him that Basil had died as well. The news was
devastating to Gregory compounding the grief from which he
sought escape.
Eventually Gregory found the strength
to return to active service within the Church. He found himself facing
the Arian controversy and speaking in support of the Trinity which was the
historic understanding of the Church. In 379 AD he spoke in Constantinople.
At this point even the Imperial
government had found itself in support of the Arian view and in the city of
Constantinople there was not one congregation which held to the historic
understanding of the Church. While walking in to the streets Gregory was
assaulted by a mob and was struck by stones which were thrown by the Arian adherence.
The contention was great but Gregory
held to the understanding of the established Church. He would compose hymns
which he used to strengthen his small congregation, some of those hymns are
still sung by eastern Orthodox Christians.
It was not until Emperor Theodosius came
to Constantinople in 380 AD and brought a settlement. All those who held to
Arianism were removed from public office which they had used to advance their
cause in which they believed.
The Emperor asked Gregory to
attended a service at the Cathedral of St. Sophia. As they approached the
Cathedral sun light came through the clouds and fell upon Gregory. Many
believed that it was sign from God and called for Gregory to be elevated to the
office of Bishop.
At first, Gregory sought to avoid the
ordination, but in the end, he accepted it. Gregory, however was not just
named Bishop of Constantinople but given the office of Patriarch.
Gregory presided over a council
where some opponents pointed out that Gregory could not be the Patriarch of the
city due to, he being a Bishop in another city. Gregory quickly resigned
the office and another man named Nectarius would serve in his place.
The Council of reaffirmed the Church
understanding of the deity of Jesus and that of the Holy Spirit and defined the
historic view of the Trinity.
Gregory returned to his home and spent
the rest of his life serving as a pastor and composing hymns until he died at
age sixty years of age.
Macrina
Macrina was the sister of of Basil and
Gregory their family had been Christians for two generations and had suffered
persecution during the Decian persecutions around 250 AD.
At twelve years of age Macrina parents
arranged for her to marry to a relative of the family. At the start,
Macrina wished not to be engaged but then agreed to the arrangement. After all
the plans had been finalized Macrina's fiancée died unexpectedly. Macrina
decided never to marry and chose for herself a life of celibacy and contemplation.
Macrina developed an strong personality
even confronting her brother Basil whom she confronted about his arrogance. She
also forcefully suggested that Basil focus more on Christian writers and
thinkers rather than pagan ones.
Macrina became a stabilizing presence
in their family after the death of some close relatives and their father
as well. She always focused her family's thought on promises of God that they
might rise above the grief and sadness which they had experienced in life.
Macrina moved to her family’s land
holdings in the village of Annesi and established a community that was in her
view designed to foster greater communion with God and other believers.
Macrina and several other women
gathered at Annesi and lived together in a simple life of fellowship and
serving God until she died trusting in the eternal life through Jesus Christ.
To Be Continued....
Benediction: May we each and all praise our
Lord's faithfulness toward each and all of his people, today, tomorrow and
forevermore. Amen.
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Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma
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