Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus
Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus (born c. 330 AD at Arianzus, Cappadocia, Asia Minor; died c. March 9, 369 AD) was a physician and imperial court official, the younger brother of Saint Gregory Nazianzus (Gregory the Theologian). Distinguished in his secular career — he served as physician and court official to the emperors Constantius II, Julian, and Valens — he remained a committed Christian, baptized only at the end of his life in fulfillment of the then-common custom of deferring baptism. After his baptism he gave his estate to the poor and renounced his court career, intending to withdraw to an ascetic life. He died shortly after, probably in 369 AD. He is venerated as a saint by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is March 9.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus
| Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | March 09 |
| Profession | Physician; imperial court official |
| Rel. Affiliation | Christian; Eastern ascetic tradition; brother of Gregory Nazianzus |
| Patronage | Physicians; court officials |
| Attributes | Physician's tools; book; Cappadocian landscape |
| Birthplace | Arianzus (near Nazianzus), Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey) |
| Death Place | Cappadocia or Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Caesarius was born around 330 AD in Arianzus near Nazianzus in Cappadocia, the son of Gregory the Elder (Bishop of Nazianzus) and Nonna. His older brother was Saint Gregory Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers and one of the greatest theologians of the ancient Church.
Caesarius was gifted academically and chose a career in medicine and imperial administration rather than the clergy or monastic life. He studied in Alexandria and at Constantinople, where he became one of the leading physicians of his day. He served at the imperial court in Constantinople under three successive emperors: Constantius II, Julian the Apostate, and Valens.
During the reign of Julian the Apostate (361–363), who attempted to reverse the Christianization of the empire, Caesarius faced pressure to apostatize. He is said to have resisted Julian's inducements and remained steadfast in the faith, though he did not resign his court position until later. His brother Gregory praised him for this steadfastness in a funeral oration.
Around 368 he was in Nicaea in Bithynia when a severe earthquake devastated the city. He survived miraculously. This near-death experience led him to seek baptism (he had not yet been formally baptized, in accordance with the widespread late antique custom of deferring baptism) and to renounce his career and estate. He was baptized and gave his goods to the poor, intending a life of withdrawal and prayer. He died shortly after, around 369 AD.
His brother Gregory Nazianzus preached a celebrated funeral oration for him (Oratio VII), which is one of the principal sources for his life and which gives a touching portrait of his character.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Arianzus (near Nazianzus), Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey)
Death location: Cappadocia or Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey)
Notable location: Where he served as physician and court official to the emperors Constantius II, Julian the Apostate, and Valens (Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey)
Notable location: His home region; the family estate (Nazianzus, Cappadocia, Turkey)
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Feast day
March 9
Veneration
Saint Caesarius of Nazianzus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on March 9, and in the Eastern Orthodox Church with the same date. He is also commemorated in the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Prayers
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