Texts
The First Theological Oration
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
St. Gregory of Nazianzus's preliminary discourse on the proper scope and manner of theological inquiry
The Second Theological Oration
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory of Nazianzus on the nature of God, the limits of human knowledge, and the incomprehensibility of the divine.
On Virginity
St. Gregory of Nyssa
Gregory of Nyssa's philosophical treatise on the spiritual life, using virginity as a metaphor for the soul's union with God.
On the Holy Spirit
St. Basil the Great
Basil the Great's treatise defending the full divinity and equal glory of the Holy Spirit.
On the Incarnation of the Word
St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius argues that God became man to restore the image of God defaced by sin and to conquer death.
The Third Theological Oration
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory of Nazianzus on the eternal generation and full divinity of the Son, against the Eunomians.
The Fourth Theological Oration
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory of Nazianzus's defense of the Son's divinity, interpreting the scriptural texts urged against it.
The Fifth Theological Oration
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
Gregory of Nazianzus on the divinity of the Holy Spirit and his procession within the Trinity.
Against the Heathen
St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius refutes pagan idolatry and shows that the soul, through reason, can rise to knowledge of God the Creator — the first half of...
On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia
St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius reviews the rival Arian councils and creeds, defending the Nicene faith and the term 'one in essence'.
On the Decrees of the Council of Nicaea
St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius defends the Nicene Council's terms 'of the essence' and 'one in essence' against Arian objections.