Life of Gregory Thaumaturgus
Gregory of Nyssa's biography of Gregory Thaumaturgus, including the vision of John the Evangelist delivering a creed at the Virgin's command, and a teaching on purity of spiritual vision.
Preface and Praise of Sacred Scripture
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Chapter V: On the Dispositions Required for This Study
— Gregory Thaumaturgus received from St. John (at the Virgin's command) an explanation of the beginning of his Gospel
"Gregory, surnamed Thaumaturgus, a client of the Blessed Virgin, at her admonition and command in a dream, received from St. John an explanation of the beginning of his Gospel"
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Chapter V: On the Dispositions Required for This Study
— Nyssen cited: no one can behold the divine with a free sense when gazing at lowly things
"as Nyssen beautifully says, no one can behold the divine and that kindred light which is discerned by the mind itself, with a free and unoccupied sense, when one directs one's gaze... at lowly and muddy things"