14 July 2019

An excerpt from 'On Love of the Poor' by St Gregory of Nazianzus

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Saint Gregory the Theologian writes:

“Human beings accumulate in their coffers gold and silver, clothes more sumptuous than useful, diamonds and other objects that are evidence of war and tyranny; then a foolish arrogance hardens their hearts; for their brothers in distress, no pity.

"What utter blindness! . . . Attend not to the law of the strong but to the law of the Creator. Help nature to the best of your ability, honour the freedom of creation, protect your species from dishonour, come to its aid in sickness, rescue it from poverty …. Seek to distinguish yourself from others only in your generosity. Be like gods to the poor, imitating God’s mercy.

"Humanity has nothing so much in common with God as the ability to do good.”


St. Gregory Nazianzen
 'On Love of the Poor'