Saint Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, is known to have been the younger brother of Saint Basil the Great. Gregory was born and raised in the midst of Arian disputes. He received an excellent education and for some time was a mentor of eloquence. In 372 he was consecrated by Saint Basil the Great as bishop of the city of Nyssa in Cappadocia.
In 381, Saint Gregory was one of the main figures of the Second Ecumenical Council, convened in Constantinople against the heresy of Macedonia, which incorrectly taught about the essence of the Holy Spirit. At this Council, on the initiative of St. Gregory, the Nicene Creed was supplemented.
In 383, Saint Gregory of Nyssa was a participant in the Council in Constantinople, where he uttered the word about the Deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. In 386, he was again in Constantinople and was commissioned to say the funeral word to the late Queen Plakilla. In 394, Saint Gregory revisits Constantinople and attends the Local Council, convened to decide ecclesiastical affairs in Arabia.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa was a fiery defender of Orthodox dogmas and a zealous teacher of his flock, as well as the merciful and compassionate father of his passers, their intercessor before the judges. Saint Gregory was distinguished by generosity, patience and peacefulness.