There arose in southern Asia Minor influential Christian thinkers generally called the Cappadocians
Basil of Caesare, Macrina , Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus. They were from a Christian family , their grandparents had lived in exile for their faith in Jesus.
These like other early Christian thinkers and writers they do not belong to any one "ecclesiastical organization" but to all Christian in what ever age they lived. These early leaders of the Church helped to frame what we understand to be accepted Christian doctrine.
Basil of Caesarea
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 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 conflict 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 poor's ability to pay.
Basil preached against the self practices of some 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 the city died Basil was chosen to replace him. His election to 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 Valen did this to lend his support to the Arian cause.
Before the Emperor arrived in Caesarea he sent his agents ahead of him to induce Basil to agree with Arianism they would offer promises and resort 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, he would died 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.
For Gregory he 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 with drew and went into hiding for a time.
After the death of his brother Basil and the death of the Emperor Valens Gregory then emerged as one of the prime supporters of Trinitarian orthodox view within the Church which had come down over the years, Gregory attended the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD where he carefully articulated the Trinitarian stance 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 quite life in the monastic community.
Finally after many travels and knowing that after the historic understanding was firmly in place Gregory was able to to return to a life of quite. 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 he was studious, he was for a time in Caesarea then traveled to Athens Greece he would stay there fourteen years there he met Basil and 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 the 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 he was searching 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 that he sought escape from.
Eventually Gregory found the strength to return to active service with in the Church. He found himself facing the Arian controversy and speaking for 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 that 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 the cause they believed in.
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 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.
When was 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 that they experienced in life.
Macrina moved to her families 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....
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.
2101 Old National Pike.
Washington,
Pennsylvania.
www.gcfountainoflife.org
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