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“Gregory of Nazianzus on the Deity of the Holy Spirit”
Oration 31, 9-11, Theological Oration, 5
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Gregory of Naz. studies -------------- A selection below General Introduction Frances Young ----- Studies Christopher Beeley ----- J. A. McGuckin ----- Jostein Bortnes Gregory of Nazianzus: Images And Reflections ----- Texts and Translations Brian Daley ----- Martha Vinson ------- Fuller bibliography
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IX. What then, say they, is
there lacking to the Spirit which prevents His being a Son, for if there were
not something lacking He would be a Son? We assert that there is nothing
lacking—for God has no deficiency. But the difference of manifestation, if I may
so express myself, or rather of their mutual relations one to another, has
caused the difference of their Names. For indeed it is not some deficiency in
the Son which prevents His being Father (for Sonship is not a deficiency), and
yet He is not Father. According to this line of argument there must be some
deficiency in the Father, in respect of His not being Son. For the Father is not
Son, and yet this is not due to either deficiency or subjection of Essence; but
the very fact of being Unbegotten or Begotten, or Proceeding has given the name
of Father to the First, of the Son to the Second, and of the Third, Him of Whom
we are speaking, of the Holy Ghost that the distinction of the Three Persons may
be preserved in the one nature and dignity of the Godhead. For neither is the
Son Father, for the Father is One, but He is what the Father is; nor is the
Spirit Son because He is of God, for the Only-begotten is One, but He is what
the Son is. The Three are One in Godhead, and the One Three in properties; so
that neither is the Unity a Sabellian one, nor does the Trinity countenance the
present evil distinction. |
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original Greek text
from Oration 31, Theological Oration 5
Oration XXXI, Theological Oration V
Holy Spirit and Trinity
Procession of Spirit, Spirit Proceeds from the Father
Father Unbegotten
Son Begotten
Gregory Nazianzen in Greek
Migne Greek Text
Patrologiae Graecae Cursus Completus
Patrologia Graeca