Patrista
·
Church Fathers
On Virginity
Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–c. 395)
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Chapters (24)
Chapter I — The holy look of virginity is precious indeed in the judgment of all
Chapter II — Deep indeed will be the thought necessary to understand the surpassing
Chapter III — Would indeed that some profit might come to myself from this effort! I
Chapter IV — But we need no longer show in this narrow way the drawback of this
Chapter V — Now we declare that Virginity is man's "fellow-worker" and helper in
Chapter VI — This, I believe, makes the greatness of the prophet Elias, and of him
Chapter VII — An illustration will make our teaching on this subject clearer. Imagine
Chapter VIII — Let no one think however that herein we depreciate marriage as an
Chapter IX — Custom is indeed in everything hard to resist. It possesses an enormous
Chapter X — What words indeed could possibly express the greatness of that loss in
Chapter XI — Now those who take a superficial and unreflecting view of things
Chapter XII — This reasoning and intelligent creature, man, at once the work and the
Chapter XIII — But seeing that Paradise is the home of living spirits, and will not
Chapter XIV — But if we apprehend at last the perfection of this grace, we must
Chapter XV — But the ways in our life which turn aside towards sin are innumerable;
Chapter XVI — There is only one right path. It is narrow and contracted. It has no
Chapter XVII — Let that which was then said by our Lord be the general maxim for every
Chapter XVIII — If any one supposes that [1459] this want of mutual harmony between his
Chapter XIX — But besides other things the action of Miriam the prophetess also gives
Chapter XX — Now it is impossible, as far as manual exercise goes, to ply two arts
Chapter XXI — It is perfectly clear that no one can come near the purity of the
Chapter XXII — We see how the husbandmen have a method for separating the chaff, which
Chapter XXIII — Now the details of the life of him who has chosen to live in such a
Chapter XXIV — It would therefore be to their profit, for the young to refrain from