Editing Gregory of Nazianzus (section)

=== Priesthood ===
In 361, Gregory returned to [[Nazianzus]] and was ordained a [[presbyter]] by his father's wish, who wanted him to assist with caring for local Christians.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |99–102}} The younger Gregory, who had been considering a monastic existence, resented his father's decision to force him to choose between priestly services and a solitary existence, calling it an "act of tyranny".<ref name="Ruether" />{{rp |32}}<ref>[[Jacques Paul Migne]] (ed), ''[[Patrologia Graeca]]'' (PG), (1857–1866), 37.1053, ''Carm. de vita sua'', l.345</ref> Leaving home after a few days, he met his friend Basil at Annesoi, where the two lived as ascetics.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |102}} However, Basil urged him to return home to assist his father, which he did for the next year. Arriving at Nazianzus, Gregory found the local Christian community split by theological differences and his father accused of heresy by local monks.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |107}} Gregory helped to heal the division through a combination of personal diplomacy and oratory.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

By this time, Emperor Julian had publicly declared himself in opposition to Christianity.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |115}} In response to the emperor's rejection of the Christian faith, Gregory composed his ''Invectives Against Julian'' between 362 and 363. ''Invectives'' asserts that Christianity will overcome imperfect rulers such as Julian through love and patience. This process as described by Gregory is the public manifestation of the process of deification (''[[Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology)|theosis]]''), which leads to a spiritual elevation and mystical union with God.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |121}} Julian resolved, in late 362, to vigorously prosecute Gregory and his other Christian critics; however, the emperor perished the following year during a campaign against the Persians.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |125–126}} With the death of the emperor, Gregory and the Eastern churches were no longer under the threat of persecution, as the new Roman emperor [[Jovian (Emperor)|Jovian]] was an avowed Christian and supporter of the church.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |130}}

Gregory spent the next few years combating [[Arianism]], which threatened to divide the region of [[Cappadocia]]. In this tense environment, Gregory interceded on behalf of his friend Basil with Bishop [[Eusebius]] ([[Caesarea Mazaca|Mazaca]]).<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |138–142}} The two friends then entered a period of close fraternal cooperation as they participated in a great rhetorical contest of the Caesarean church precipitated by the arrival of accomplished Arian theologians and rhetors.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |143}} In the subsequent public debates, presided over by agents of the Emperor [[Valens]], Gregory and Basil emerged triumphant. This success confirmed for both Gregory and Basil that their futures lay in administration of the Church.<ref name="McGuckin" />{{rp |143}} Basil, who had long displayed inclinations to the episcopacy, was elected bishop of the see of [[Caesarea Mazaca|Caesarea in Cappadocia]] in 370.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}