A portrait of St. Gregory of Nyssa
St. Gregory of Nyssa
c. 335 – c. 395
Feast
January 10 · IV c.
Patron of
Theologians · Philosophers · Mystics
Order
Bishop / Theologian / Cappadocian Father
Cappadocian bishop and theologian (c. 335-c. 395), younger brother of St. Basil the Great and brother-in-law of St. Macrina the Younger; bishop of Nyssa from 372, played a leading role at the First Council of Constantinople (381). Greatest of the Cappadocian mystical theologians, author of "Life of Moses," "Catechetical Oration," and treatises on the soul and resurrection.
Life & Times
Born: c. 335 · Died: c. 395 · From: Cappadocia / Turkey.
Patronage
St. Gregory of Nyssa is invoked as the patron of theologians, philosophers, mystics. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.”— Life of Moses — standard English rendering of his apophatic theology of divine darkness.
Shop St. Gregory of Nyssa Products
Devotional items honoring St. Gregory of Nyssa, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Gregory of Nyssa, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.