Gregory of Nyssa

The HarperCollins Spiritual Classics series presents short, accessible introductions to the foundational works that shaped Western religious though and culture. This series seeks to find new readers for these dynamic spiritual voices--voices that have changed lives throughout the centuries and still can today.

"Such an experience seems to me to belong to the soul which loves what is beautiful. Hope always draws the soul from the beauty which is seen to what is beyond, always kindles the desire for the hidden through what is constantly perceived...And the bold request which goes up the mountains of desire asks this: to enjoy the Beauty not in mirrors and reflections, but face to face."--Gregory of Nyssa (332-395)

St. Gregory of Nyssa belonged to the thrid generation of an illustrious Christian family of Capadocia. He became bishop of the small town of Nyssa in 371 and is known as one of the founders of mystical theology in the Church. In The Life of Moses, Gregory first summarizes the events of Moses's life from the biblical account in Exodus and Numbers, and then refers back to these events as the bases for spiritual lessons. This second part is called "the Contemplation" and reflects on the importance of the solitary life, asceticism, control of the passion, right conduct, and knowledge of God. The climax of Gregory's spirituality is following God and the idea of eternal progress--progress itself becomes perfection as we strive for infinite progress in the never-completed journey to God.