The life of Saint Macrina

And Macrina is younger than Basil, so Basil's the oldest, but older than Gregory.

And Gregory of Nazianza writes two documents that are attached to her: The Life of Macrina, where he tells her story, um, s- specifically sort of the end of her life.

It's quite early on in what we call the hagiographic tradition, like these stories or lives of saints.

Um, but a lot of, of those will come after, um, and hers was one of the first.

Um, and then, uh, he's puts himself in the position of her pupil, and I will note that he is a full-fledged bishop at this time.

Uh, and this, and I love the life, both of these documents are kind of meant to be read together.

The Life of Macrina is more of a life, and it does have significant theological themes in it, but On the Soul and the Resurrection, uh, the other piece, is one of the most important documents in the entire history of the church for the doctrine of the resurrection.

So this is not a peripheral document.

and after this there are happenings still more surprising of which i might tell healings of diseases and casting out of demons and true predictions of the future all are believed to be true even though apparently incredible by those who have investigated them accurately but by the carnally minded they are judged outside the possible those i mean who do not know that according to the proportion of faith so is given the distribution of spiritual gifts little to those of little faith much to those who have plenty of sea-room in their religion And so, lest the unbeliever should be injured by being led to disbelieve the gifts of God, I have abstained from a consecutive narrative of these sublime wonders, thinking it sufficient to conclude my life of Macrina with what has been already said.

End of Part 4 End of The Life of St. Macrina by St. Gregory of Nyssa.

Translated by W.K. Lowther Clark, B.D.