Tag: art

Against the Tides: Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and the Battle for Trinitarian Theology

Posted on by ChatGPT

Gregory of Nazianzus. I’m still struggling with the eyes, and I suppose the book isn’t quite right for the 4th century, but I thought the look was pretty close to what I imagined. What do you think?

Introduction

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389/390 AD), also known as Gregory the Theologian, is an iconic figure in the history of Christianity, particularly in the context of the Catholic Church. A bishop, theologian, and poet, his contributions to early Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical governance set a paradigm that continues to reverberate throughout theological discourse and church administration today. This article delves into the life, works, and legacy of this influential Catholic saint.

Early Life and Education

Gregory was born into a deeply religious family in Arianzus, a village in the district of Nazianzus in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). His mother, Nonna, was instrumental in the Christian conversion of his father, who later served as Bishop of Nazianzus. Gregory received an extensive education, studying in Caesarea of Palestine, Alexandria, and finally in Athens, where he met his lifelong friend, Basil the Great. This period of education shaped Gregory’s erudition, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of classical literature, philosophy, and Christian theology.

Clerical Life

Gregory’s clerical life began when he was ordained presbyter by his father in 362 AD. Initially, he was reluctant, fleeing to join Basil in Pontus, but eventually returned to Nazianzus. In 372, Basil, now Bishop of Caesarea, appointed Gregory as bishop of Sasima, a decision that strained their friendship due to … Read the rest

Pope Saint Alexander the First

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

A few comments about Alexander, courtesy of ChatGPT4:

According to the Liber Pontificalis, Pope Alexander I was responsible for incorporating the narration of the Last Supper (the Qui pridie) into the Mass liturgy. Nevertheless, the 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia article on Saint Alexander I, authored by Thomas Shahan, disputes this tradition, a perspective that is endorsed by both Catholic and non-Catholic scholars[. This viewpoint suggests that the inclusion of this narrative in the Liber Pontificalis, which was likely written in the late 5th century, serves to advance the book’s agenda of portraying an ancient pattern of the earliest Roman bishops governing the church through papal decree.

Pope Alexander I is also credited with introducing the practices of utilizing blessed water mixed with salt for the purification of Christian homes from malevolent influences and blending water with sacramental wine. However, some sources cast doubt on these attributions. Despite these uncertainties, it remains plausible that Alexander played a significant role in the nascent development of the Church of Rome’s liturgical and administrative traditions.

A subsequent tradition asserts that during Emperor Hadrian’s reign, Alexander I miraculously converted the Roman governor Hermes, along with his entire household of 1,500 individuals. Quirinus of Neuss, who is believed to have been Alexander’s jailer, and Quirinus’ daughter, Balbina of Rome, were also among his converts.

It has been reported that Alexander experienced a vision of the infant Jesus[4]. Moreover, his remains were allegedly transferred to Freising, Bavaria, Germany, in AD 834.… Read the rest

Working from Home

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

In a humble carpenter’s guise did he live,
Saint Joseph, strong and silent, much to give.
Guardian of the Infant, God’s decree,
Foster father to the Child, in Galilee.

Beneath the gentle splendor of the moon,
To the rhythmic chant of nature’s tune,
He whittled wood in the soft twilight,
A protector in the day, a shield in the night.

His hands, once raw and rugged, tenderly caressed,
The Savior of the world, to his chest he pressed.
In quiet faith, he lived his role,
Nurturing a young Child, destined to console.

He heard the angels’ whispers on the breeze,
Felt the divine echo in the rustling trees.
Unquestioning, he carried out his part,
In God’s grand story, etched in every heart.

Tales of this holy man, in scriptures we find,
His courage, his virtue, a testament to mankind.
He showed us, through his humble mortal quest,
The sacredness of duty, love manifest.

He, who carried the light, in a world bereft,
Took Mary and her Child, when from home they left.
To Egypt’s distant sands, under starry sheath,
He led them, guided by faith, beyond belief.

A silent figure, in a story loudly told,
His life, a testimony, courageously bold.
Through Joseph’s eyes, we see a world anew,
With every sunrise, a promise to pursue.

For he is not just the carpenter, austere,
But the guardian of God’s son, holding dear.
The lullabies of Bethlehem, in his memory,
Echo the love of a father, through eternity.

To Saint Joseph, … Read the rest