By the same author, on Holy Pascha and on his delay This "delay" refers to Gregory’s hesitation to take up his priestly duties immediately after being ordained against his will by his father.

It is the Day of Resurrection! A truly auspicious beginning! Let us be enlightened by this festival and let us embrace one another. Let us say "Brothers!" even to those who hate us—not to mention those who, out of love, have done or suffered anything for us. Let us forgive all things in light of the Resurrection. Let us grant pardon to one another: both I, who was subjected to that noble tyranny original: "καλὴν τυραννίδα" — Gregory uses this famous oxymoron to describe being forced into the priesthood, which he viewed as a heavy but ultimately holy burden. (for I add this now), and you, who exercised that tyranny so well, if you held any grievance against my delay. For perhaps this very delay is better and more precious in the eyes of God than the haste of others.

For it is good to shrink back from God for a little while, as did Moses of old and later Jeremiah; yet it is also good to run forward eagerly when He calls, as did Aaron and Isaiah. Only let both be done with piety: the first because of one's own weakness, the second because of the power of Him who calls.

I was anointed into a Mystery original: "Μυστήριον" — Here referring to the sacrament of ordination and the deeper divine plan of salvation.; I withdrew for a Mystery; now I enter into myself with a Mystery, bringing within me the one I found outside—or to put it better, being led toward the one by whom I was brought forth. From Him I was born; by Him I am fashioned; through Him I am reborn; in Him I am shaped; by Him I am raised to the heights; from Him I enjoy God’s love for humanity; I partake of the glory that comes from Him; and I am led back again toward the blessedness that resides in Him. This is how it stands with me, and may it remain so through your prayers offered on my behalf, and by the grace of God—which may God grant to you and to me, your shepherd. For to Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second Discourse

By the same, an apology for his flight to Pontus; and for his return; upon his ordination as a priest:

I have been defeated, and I confess my defeat. I have submitted to the Lord and I have entreated Him. Let the blessed David lead the way for my victory—or rather, for my noble fall, if I must speak more accurately. For it is sometimes better to be defeated than to win a victory that is wicked and destructive. Just as in wrestling matches, it is not the one who falls gracefully who is considered weak, but the one who falls disgracefully; and it is not the one who wins by any means who is the victor, but the one who wins according to the rules.

So it is in spiritual contests: winning is not always worthy of praise, nor is stumbling always worthy of blame. It depends on the how, the who, the why, the when, and toward whom. To prevail against those outside the faith and against enemies is the best use of the Spirit’s power; but toward one’s own family and the pious, it is best to be defeated and to yield to the laws of the Spirit. This is especially true toward our God, whether He moves our guiding mind directly or through one of His servants.

It was by this reasoning that I was persuaded. Respecting the noble character of the Caller and submitting to the yoke I received, I withdrew for a short time to examine myself and to calm the inner storm of my grief—a disturbance that the violence of my sudden ordination threw into me. Like a mountain torrent, it flooded all my hearing and my every thought. I could not bear such a great tempest. Because of? this, I sought myself and withdrew?...