When I first read about the Cappadocians I immediately thought of cappuccinos. Which doesn't actually make sense because coffee wasn't even invented when they were alive. Maybe it was.. I should Google that. Google can sometimes be helpful!Anyway, I'm going WAY off topic. The Three Cappadocians were St. Basil of Caesaria, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Gregory of Nazianzus; they lived in the late 300s. They came from a place called Cappadocia, hence the name Cappadocian (So forget about cappuccinos. Please).
Around this time, a heresy had come about that was commenly called 'Arianism'. Started by a Libyan priest named Arius, it taught that God the Son is not eternal, nor consubstantial with the Father. Arius was skilled in speach, so, sadly, many people began to believe this lie. Until this time, the Church had not officially defined the teaching of the
Trinity. This is where the Cappadocians came into the picture. God had raised these men up to defend His Church.
St. Basil of Caesaria was an energetic and sensible man, who was a priest and later an archbishop. His main doctrinal writings are a treatise Arianism and another on the Holy Spirit. He also wrote about the six days of creation.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus' character is quite different from St. Basil's. Gregory was a sensitive soul, who seemed to be better suited for monastic life; but God had another plan. He assisted the elderly bishop of Nazianzus with his diocese. After going for a time into solitude, at the requests of the Constantinople Catholics he became their bishop.
St. Gregory of Nyssa, though uneducated, became a great teacher and philosopher. He played a major role in the Church's Council of Constantinople, and wrote much aginst Arians. He also wrote a catechism to explain many of the doctrines of the Faith.
Together, these men were able to clear up much confusion regarding the Church. Even today (especially today?), we need people to rise up and defend our Faith. Those people are us. Now that doesn't mean that we have to get up on the roof and start singing of the greatness of God, but we are called to teach by example. Funny how when our friends ask about the cross we wear around our neck - that beautiful symbol of the Ultimate Sacrifice that we should be proud to wear - we sometimes nonchalantly refer to it as "just a piece of jewelry". It says 365 times in the Bible to "Be not afraid". When God says something, He means it. When He says it 365 times, HE REALLY, REALLY MEANS IT. But He will gladly help us; we can't do it alone. Pray to Him for strength. On that note, pray for each other as well. We are a universal Church. God bless!
Around this time, a heresy had come about that was commenly called 'Arianism'. Started by a Libyan priest named Arius, it taught that God the Son is not eternal, nor consubstantial with the Father. Arius was skilled in speach, so, sadly, many people began to believe this lie. Until this time, the Church had not officially defined the teaching of the
Trinity. This is where the Cappadocians came into the picture. God had raised these men up to defend His Church.
St. Basil of Caesaria was an energetic and sensible man, who was a priest and later an archbishop. His main doctrinal writings are a treatise Arianism and another on the Holy Spirit. He also wrote about the six days of creation.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus' character is quite different from St. Basil's. Gregory was a sensitive soul, who seemed to be better suited for monastic life; but God had another plan. He assisted the elderly bishop of Nazianzus with his diocese. After going for a time into solitude, at the requests of the Constantinople Catholics he became their bishop.
St. Gregory of Nyssa, though uneducated, became a great teacher and philosopher. He played a major role in the Church's Council of Constantinople, and wrote much aginst Arians. He also wrote a catechism to explain many of the doctrines of the Faith.
Together, these men were able to clear up much confusion regarding the Church. Even today (especially today?), we need people to rise up and defend our Faith. Those people are us. Now that doesn't mean that we have to get up on the roof and start singing of the greatness of God, but we are called to teach by example. Funny how when our friends ask about the cross we wear around our neck - that beautiful symbol of the Ultimate Sacrifice that we should be proud to wear - we sometimes nonchalantly refer to it as "just a piece of jewelry". It says 365 times in the Bible to "Be not afraid". When God says something, He means it. When He says it 365 times, HE REALLY, REALLY MEANS IT. But He will gladly help us; we can't do it alone. Pray to Him for strength. On that note, pray for each other as well. We are a universal Church. God bless!
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