Address of Thanksgiving to Origen

Contents

Reading pages: 1–5 · 6–13 · 14–19

1. 1Gregory excuses his lack of eloquence: for eight years he has studied philosophy and Roman law rather than oratory.
2. 2Gregory hesitates to speak of the godlike Origen, whose ears are used to the pure words of the divine Word.
3. 3Ingratitude is terrible; like the poor widow, Gregory will offer what thanks he can, though no one can thank God worthily.
4. 4Only the Word can thank the Father worthily; Gregory thanks Origen, and his guardian angel who led him to Origen.
5. 5Orphaned at fourteen, Gregory began to receive the Word; providence diverted his journey to study law at Berytus and brought him to Origen at Caesarea.
6. 6Origen won Gregory to philosophy by argument and by kindness; like Jonathan's soul knit to David's, Gregory's soul is bound to Origen.
7. 7Like a farmer clearing a field, Origen first trained Gregory's mind in logic, teaching him to test arguments and not to assent rashly.
8. 8After logic Origen taught natural science, geometry, and astronomy, turning amazement at the world into rational wonder.
9. 9Origen taught the moral virtues, prudence, temperance, justice, and courage, by self-examination and by his own example, not by mere definitions.
10. 10Gregory disclaims flattery and any intent to praise Origen by disparaging other philosophers.
11. 11Origen led Gregory to live the virtues: justice as attending to one's own soul, prudence as self-knowledge, temperance as preserving it, courage as perseverance.
12. 12Origen has not yet made Gregory virtuous, but has made him a lover of the virtues, above all of piety, whose end is to be made like God and abide in him.
13. 13Origen had his students read all the ancient philosophers and poets except the atheists, so that no single school would capture their minds.
14. 14Philosophers cling to the first school they meet as to a marsh, forest, or labyrinth; Origen guided his students through all schools, keeping what was true.
15. 15Origen taught them to heed God and the prophets above all men, and by the Spirit interpreted the dark places of Scripture; his school was a paradise.
16. 16Leaving Origen, Gregory is like Adam expelled from paradise, the prodigal son, the exiles in Babylon, and the man who fell among robbers.
17. 17Gregory consoles himself: Christ the Word is the physician of the wounded, and he carries seeds from Origen that may bear fruit.
18. 18Gregory ends his speech, claiming for it sincerity rather than eloquence.
19. 19Gregory asks Origen to pray for him and commend him to God, that an angel may escort him and bring him back.