In 380 Gregory Nazianzus had suffered much opposition from the Arian majority in the imperial city of Constantinople. On top of this, meddlers from Peter, the Bishop of Alexandria, had come to set up an anti-bishop of Constantinople in opposition to beleaguered Gregory. This caused an ecclesiastical kerfuffle; although the imposter imposed on Constantinople was at last expelled by Gregory. Soon after, an Egyptian fleet landed at the imperial city bringing the regular grain shipment from the bread basket of the ancient world on either side of the Nile River. The Sunday after they arrived, the Egyptian sailors, who were Christians, walked past the grand and imposing Arian churches and trekked to Gregory's little St. Anastasia church, which was nothing more than a house turned into a place of worship. This act was remarkable given the attempt of their fellow Egyptians to depose Gregory in favor of another patriarch. How heartened Gregory was that the sailors disdained all the pomp of the Arian churches in favor of his humble little chamber.

 

It is hard to imagine hardened sailors having the kind of zeal for the orthodox faith as was shown by these Egyptian men. Yet, these humble fellows brought great joy to Gregory in the midst of his struggles with the enemies of the faith. He took the opportunity that Sunday to discourse about the Bread of Life, who was come down from heaven ( Jn 6:32-35). He expressed his appreciation for the bread which originated in the Nile Valley. But that's not all. He honored them because they bore with them the Bread from heaven. They were delivering the divine Word, a Word by which they confessed that Word who had become flesh and dwelt among us ( Jn 1:14). By bearing that Word of truth through the grand avenues of Constantinople, which coursed past great palaces and magnificent churches until they were able to wend their way to out-of-the-way St. Anastasia Church, they were bringing the Son of God once again out of Egypt for those who hungered and thirsted for Him ( Hos 11:1).

 

These humble laymen knew whom they confessed and confessed Him rightly as God of God, unlike the clerics of their country who opposed Gregory. Of course, it is always easy to rail against the clergy; they deserve it and more. Are they wicked men? Why, yes of course they are! They are no more exempt from sin than any other person. They are susceptible to indiscipline even while they are making disciples for the Lord Jesus. They might fail to be saved, while they are giving the saving Word to others. We do not respect them because they respect us, but because they respect the Word of God, calling us to repentance. We do not honor them primarily for their freedom from the burdens of sin that others bear; we honor them when they bear to our mouths the Bread that comes down from heaven, so that sin can be remitted, both theirs and ours.