Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian On Easter II (Oration XLV), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

Gregory Theologian Bilingual Anthology, Resources Online and in Print

21 Pages

Page 12

XVIII. And let the loins of the unreasoning animals be unbound and loose, for they have not the gift of reason which can overcome pleasure (it is not needful to say that even they know the limit of natural movement). But let that part of your being which is the seat of passion, and which neighs, [4623] as Holy Scripture calls it, when sweeping away this shameful passion, be restrained by a girdle of continence, so that you may eat the Passover purely, having mortified your members which are upon the earth, [4624] and copying the girdle [4625] of John, the Hermit and Forerunner and great Herald of the Truth. Another girdle I know, the soldierly and manly one, I mean, from which the Euzoni of Syria and certain Monozoni [4626] take their name. And it is in respect of this too that God saith in an oracle to Job, "Nay, but gird up thy loins like a man, and give a manly answer." [4627] With this also holy David boasts that he is girded with strength from God, [4628] and speaks of God Himself as clothed with strength [4629] and girded about with power—against the ungodly of course—though perhaps some may prefer to see in this a declaration of the abundance of His power, and, as it were, its restraint, just as also He clothes Himself with Light as with a garment. [4630] For who shall endure His unrestrained power and light? Do I enquire what there is common to the loins and to truth? What then is the meaning to S. Paul of the expression, "Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth?" [4631] Is it perhaps that contemplation is to restrain concupiscence, and not to allow it to be carried in another direction? For that which is disposed to love in a particular direction will not have the same power towards other pleasures.

[4623] Jer. v. 8.

[4624] Col. iii. 5.

[4625] Matt. iii. 4.

[4626] The expression is often used in the LXX. to represent the word D+W+D+G+, translated A Band, especially in 2 Kings.

[4627] Job xxxviii. 3.

[4628] Ps. xviii. 32.

[4629] Ib. xciii. 1.

[4630] Ib. civ. 2.

[4631] Eph. v. 14.

Previous Page / First / Next Page of Gregory Theologian - On Easter II (Oration XLV)

St Gregory Theologian Home Page ||| More Church Fathers

Elpenor's Free Greek Lessons

Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/gregory-nazianzen/easter-2.asp?pg=12