Hierarch
Gregory of Nyssa
Saint Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa
New Calendar January 10 Old Calendar January 23
Why they are a saint
Gregory of Nyssa served as Bishop of Nyssa. Gregory of Nyssa was an early Christian theologian who served as the bishop of Nyssa from 372 to 376 and from 378 until his death in 394. His name is kept on the calendar with the other holy hierarchs.
Life
Saint Gregory of Nyssa was a younger brother of Saint Basil the Great. Well educated, he was for a time a teacher of rhetoric, and in 372 Basil consecrated him Bishop of Nyssa in Cappadocia. He fought the Arian heresy with his brother and was persecuted by the Arians, falsely accused, deprived of his see and deposed, yet he kept encouraging his flock as he wandered from place to place.
After the death of the emperor Valens (378) he was restored to his see. When Basil died in 379, Gregory gave his funeral oration and completed his work on the six days of Creation, the Hexaemeron. In 381 he was one of the chief figures of the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople. He is known as one of the most profound Christian thinkers of the fourth century, left many dogmatic works and sermons, and has been called 'the Father of Fathers'.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Gregory of Nyssa as a patron when they bear the name Gregory at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on January 10. As a bishop, he is also remembered by clergy and those who serve the Church.
Prayer
O holy Gregory of Nyssa, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.