In his funeral oration for his father, St. Gregory the Theologian pauses to praise his mother Nonna. He describes her influence upon her husband through both conduct and speech. She helped lead him toward a life of piety, and he accepted her instruction. The witness is a son’s family eulogy, through which we see how faith was embodied within a household. Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 18.8–9, funeral oration for Gregory’s father
Gregory also praises Nonna’s prayer and care for people in need, including orphans, widows and mourners. In his description, household responsibility and devotion to God supported one another. He does not leave her faith as a list of ideas she defended. He remembers actions that formed her life with her family and neighbors. Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 18.8–9, funeral oration for Gregory’s father
When Paul writes to Timothy, he remembers the sincere faith of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. The names in that biblical passage are theirs, rather than Nonna’s. The parallel concerns faith present within a family across generations. Scripture allows us to value what is received through the lived fidelity of those who care for us. 2 Timothy 1:3-5
The care Gregory praises also accords with James’s account of visiting orphans and widows in their affliction. A parent’s example therefore includes the treatment of people beyond the immediate household. The habits children see can include prayer, attention to a grieving neighbor and generosity to someone who cannot repay the family. Such applications follow the acts Gregory names rather than inventing additional sayings of Nonna. James 1:27
A parent need not claim a flawless record to take this witness seriously. Its invitation is to let faith have a visible place in conduct and speech. Prayer and compassionate attention are concrete ways Gregory remembers Nonna’s piety. We can begin with the responsibility actually before us, allowing what we profess about God to shape how we care for His people. Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 18.8–9, funeral oration for Gregory’s father
For prayer, use the Lord’s Prayer given by Christ in Matthew 6:9–13.
Sources and edition notes
- Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 18. Translated by Charles Gordon Browne and James Edward Swallow. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310218.htm.
Scripture references link to these comparison editions: NKJV. Biblical passages are paraphrased. Biblical language within a patristic quotation follows the identified historical English translation.