Creation, fall and redemption

Abstract

The original context in which Gregory preached the homilies on the Song of Songs is debated, however scholars agree on the point that the reason why they were delivered was to offer his audience a series of meditations on the biblical text, concentrating in particular on the ascetic journey the soul of the Christian is called to make in order to reach perfection. In this long itinerary the Nyssen makes many references to the evil element that has soiled human nature after the fall. Therefore, one of the necessary pre-requisites for the soul to advance in the ascent towards perfection is to free itself of this evil stain. We shall therefore briefly illustrate how Gregory’s interpretation of salvation history – generally associated with his treatises – is given in remarkable detail in this cycle of homilies.