Saint Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa
Gregory was the brother of Basil the Great. At first, he was only a presbyter, since he was married; but when his wife, Blessed Theosevia, reposed, Gregory was chosen and consecrated Bishop of Nyssa. He was distinguished by his great secular learning and spiritual experience. He participated in the Second Ecumenical Council [Constantinople, 381]. It is thought that he composed the second half of the Symbol of Faith [the Creed].
He was a great orator, an interpreter of Holy Scripture, and a theologian. Because of their defeat, the Arians especially attacked him as their worst enemy, so that during the reign of Emperor Valens—their ally of the same mind—they succeeded in ousting Gregory from the episcopal throne and sent him into exile. This Holy Father spent eight years in exile, patiently enduring all miseries and all humiliations. He finally re- posed in old age toward the end of the fourth century, and entered into the Kingdom of God, remaining throughout the ages as a great beacon of the Church on earth.
