On God and Man: The Theological Poetry of St. Gregory of Nazianzus

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contains a translation of his [*Carmina moralia in laudem virginitatis*](https://isidore.co/calibre#panel=book_details&book_id=8363), *In Praise of Virginity* (pp. 88-118 // PDF pp. 98-128; outline pp. 31-33 // PDF pp. 40-42): "The original Virgin is the Holy Trinity."cited in [Unger O.F.M. Cap.](https://isidore.co/calibre/#panel=book_details&book_id=5886) ref:19.18:> Some of the ancient Christian poets also sang the praises of virginal chastity. Worthy of mention are: St. Ephraem of Edessa, **St. Gregory Nazianzen (who wrote six compositions on virginity: the first is 732 hexameters)** , Pope St. Damasus (who made some epigrams), St. Avitus (who wrote his poem of 666 hexameters to his sister, Fuscina, a consecrated virgin), and Venantius Fortunatus.* * *St. Gregory of Nazianzus is one of the most open and self-revealing of the Fathers of the Church, and his poetry is remarkable for its personal character. In these poems, he speaks of the joys and frustrations of his own life; he reveals his inner questioning about the purpose and values of life in the face of sin and mortality, and his ultimate faith in Christ as redeeming and reconciling all things. St. Gregory's poetry has often been compared with St. Augustine's Confessions, as showing a peculiarly modern interest in the self. The translations here presented allow the reader to see that self-reflection in its theological context.While St. Gregory of Nazianzus' poetry has recently begun to appear in English translations, this is the first book to provide an affordable translation of his major doctrinal poems. Included are poems on the Trinity, Creation and Providence, Angels and the Soul, the Person of Christ, Human Nature and poems debating the Christian understanding of marriage and virginity.**About the Translator:** Peter Gilbert is on the faculty of St. John's College, Santa Fe, New Mexico.viii, 175 pages ; 19 cm Includes bibliographical references (pages 173-175) Introduction -- Brief chronology of St. Gregory's life -- Outlines of major poems -- On the Father -- On the Son -- On the Holy Spirit -- Concerning the world -- On providence -- Concerning spiritual beings -- On the soul -- On the two covenants, and the appearing of Christ -- On providence -- Against Apollinarius -- On the incarnation of Christ -- Concerning the genuine books of Scripture -- Another prayer for a safe journey -- In praise of virginity -- A comparison of lives -- Conversation with the world -- On the precariousness of human nature -- On human nature -- On the cheapness of the outward man -- On the different walks of life -- Blessings of various lives -- Concerning human life -- To his former congregation, Anastasia -- Against a demon -- On his own verses -- Lamentation concerning the sorrows of his own soul -- To his own soul -- Epitaph on St. Basil