Gregory of Nazianzus on the Three and the One

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No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am illumined by the Splendor of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish Them than I am carried back to the One. When I think of any One of the Three I think of Him as the Whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking of escapes me. I cannot grasp the greatness of That One so as to attribute a greater greatness to the Rest. When I contemplate the Three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the Undivided Light.

– Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 40, On Holy Baptism
Preached at Constantinople Jan. 6, 381

Icon of the Holy Trinity

© Michael K. Marsh and Interrupting the Silence, 2009-2024, all rights reserved.

4 responses to “Gregory of Nazianzus on the Three and the One”

  1. Jennifer+ Avatar
    Jennifer+

    Beautiful, beautiful.

    I’m trying imagine preaching a sermon like this and finding anybody still in the room at the end of it, though. . .

    Like

    1. marshmk Avatar

      I’ve thought the same thing Jennifer. How do we teach and preach beauty that is more than what we see?

      Peace,
      Mike+

      Like

  2. Katie Avatar

    The Great Mystery so eloquently described, but not with explanation: Only with Love and Adoration.

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    1. marshmk Avatar

      Yes, Katie, I agree. God can be experienced but not explained. Too many words sometimes ruin the experience.

      Peace,
      Mike+

      Like

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