The Five Theological Orations of Gregory of Nazianzus - Edited for the Syndics of the University Press #219841

It is possible, however, to come a little closer. The twenty-second and twenty-third Orations were certainly delivered at Constantinople about the middle of the year 379. At the end of the latter of those two Orations, Gregory promises to crush the serpent eggs of heresy by a stiff and solid argument. There can be little doubt that he regarded his Theological Orations as the fulfilment of this promise. And in Oration XLII, in which Gregory took leave of Constantinople and the Council, he speaks of having already carefully dealt with the Scriptural texts around which the current contro versies raged — a description which would well suit the Theological Orations, especially the fourth. Everything therefore points to the correctness of the conclusion that the Five Orations were delivered — and probably published in writing — in the year 380.