Career
However, he is better remembered as the patriarch of an important family of ecclesiastics. Both Gregory and Nonna came from wealthy families, and Gregory was able to personally finance the construction of a church in the region. In 328, Gregory was selected as bishop of Nazianzus, a position he held until his death.
At one point, Gregory subscribed to an Arian understanding of the Trinity.
However, this was for a very brief time and he quickly renounced that position. Three children were born to Gregory and Nonna.
Their younger son, Caesarius of Nazianzus, studied in Caesarea Mazaca and at Alexandria and became a physician. He served in Constantinople as the court physician for both Constantius II and Julian the Apostate, and died in 368.
Their elder son, also named Gregory (and sometimes known as "the Younger"), served alongside his father first as a priest, and then as co-adjutor.
Gregory the Younger would later become the Patriarch of Constantinople.
