THE THEME OF SUFFERING IN ST. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS’S POETRY

 When we refer to St. Gregory of Nazianzus, we think in particular of his theological writings for which he was named „The Theologian”, of his fight in the defense of Christian Orthodoxy against the heresies of his time. In this perspective we see „the saint”. Gregory, as a common person, however, a complicated character, unveils himself in his poetry in a different way than we are accustomed to thinking of him; in this posture he is much less known to the public.

Poetry is the place where we identify his inner life, his way to sainthood, meaning the man with his struggles, doubts, weaknesses, sufferings, temptations, problems, frustrations, indignations, depressions, faults, failures, discontents and complaints.