Człowiek wobec śmierci w wybranych pismach św. Grzegorza z Nyssy

Abstract

Death is inscribed in the physical nature of man and arouses in him a lot of uncertainty, fear and sadness. Although the inevitable death is still difficult to explain, especially when it concerns children who have not been able to reach maturity much. St. Gregory of Nyssa devoted a lot of space in his writings to its understanding and the preparation of the faithful for its reception. For man is a corporeal and spiritual being, created by almighty God in his image and likeness. The material body has been animated by the immortal soul. For man combines elements of material and non-material reality. Death is the moment when the two elements separate. Concerned about the fate of man, God sent his Only-begotten Son into the world, who, taking human nature, accomplished the work of salvation in it, dying on the cross and rising, which was a great victory over death. The resurrection of Christ became not only a demonstration of God's omnipotence, but a foreshadowing of the resurrection of all people, because in it human nature regained its original state, which people lost due to the sin of their first parents. St. Gregory of Nyssa, emphasizing the effects of the work of redemption, points out that a person should not fear death, because he can prepare for its encounter by practicing a virtuous life on earth. For man's goal is to see God, and he can achieve them by keeping the commandments and following the attitude of the incarnate Son of God, which reveals to mankind what is necessary in God's eyes to participate in the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.