Saint Gregory of Nyssa : On the Soul and the Resurrection by Brian Ephrem Fitzgerald (Connor Court Quarterly)

Saint Gregory of Nyssa : On the Soul and the Resurrection  by Brian Ephrem Fitzgerald  (Connor Court Quarterly) 

Paperback, 80 pages, $19.95

ISBN 9781923224032

March 2024

In this edition of the Connor Court Quarterly, esteemed academic Brian Fitzpatrick embarks on a profound exploration of the enduring enigma surrounding the soul and the body. Through a meticulous examination of the thought-provoking dialogues between St. Macrina and St. Gregory of Nyssa in "On the Soul and the Resurrection," Fitzpatrick unveils layers of insight and contemplation.

As St. Gregory grapples with uncertainties surrounding the immortality of the soul in the wake of personal loss, the dialogues between himself and his sister Macrina unfold with a poignant depth reminiscent of Socrates' final discourses. Within these exchanges, the siblings navigate the intricate intersection of Christian theology and philosophical inquiry, shedding light on the essence of the soul, its intricate relationship with the body, and the profound implications of resurrection.

Fitzpatrick's essay not only offers a scholarly exploration of St. Gregory's philosophical masterpiece but also serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary understanding. By elucidating the timeless relevance of these discussions, Fitzpatrick illuminates the enduring interplay between reason and revelation within Christian thought, inviting readers to engage deeply with fundamental questions of existence and faith.

Brian Fitzgerald is an independent scholar, adjunct professor at Eastern University, and long-term Orthodox Christian with publications at Liverpool University Press, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, and the Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan. He has special interests in Byzantine and Syriac Christian history and theology, as well as Roman, Late Antique, Byzantine, and Middle Eastern history in general.