Works of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus

A rectangular illuminated miniature with a blue border decorated with gold patterns. The scene depicts Pentecost: twelve haloed apostles are seated in a semi-circular arrangement on a red-patterned bench against a gold background. Tongues of fire or gold rays descend from a blue celestial arc at the top. In the center of the semi-circle is a dark, arched opening, possibly representing a doorway or the world emerging from darkness.

+ Concerning the Holy Sunday

THE PENTECOST

Let us philosophize briefly about the feast, so that we may celebrate it festively; but not gluttonously, nor drunkenly; nor with all doors open to the word. The word referring here to the discourse or sermon itself; and the word, which is most appropriate for the time; and nothing is so hostile to the lover of beauty as an empty word; and nothing so ill-reports the lover of festivals as such. For example, nothing is so… The Jew also celebrates; but only according to the letter referring to the outward, legalistic observance of the Law. For the physical adornment—it did not reach the scale of a procession of the world. The Greek also celebrates; but only by word of mouth and for his own gods and demons. Some of these are creators of passions and are themselves evils?, while others were born of passions. For this reason, sacrifice is made to all of them, and for them, celebrating is mere pleasure, the blood being what is poured out to them.

Therefore, let us celebrate with all dignity. Let us also celebrate, though not as if everything seems permissible to us; rather, let us avoid anything public, or where others rest. And let this be instead of noise. We, however, should treasure up some of the good and guarded things. But let there be no offering of delicacies and drunkenness, and let there be small weight in our perception. But for the most part, it is a mixture of laws, and it holds the abiding word for itself. For the wickedness of the body is enough for it. Why is there also a need for the flame a reference to the fire of the passions or excessive worldly celebration, or for more abundant food for the beasts? So that, rather, just as it flows? and is more fragrant than the anointing oil. For this reason, then, we celebrate. The beginning of the word is from the flesh, if indeed the word is prepared for us. And it is twofold for the philosophers. To us, before the sun, the festival is signified to all. They honor only the week, and they are sacrificed, from the single legislation. Just as those who are theoretical regarding the monstrosity of pride, or even an oath to all, and the eighth and third, as if they were the order of the house of the world. And of the schism—to which the circulating honor of the ages is named; and they also honor us, abundant as it were, like a herald’s message.