Saint Gorgonia

Biography

Saint Gorgonia was the daughter of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder and Saint Nonna, and the sister of both Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, the great theologian and Doctor of the Church, and Saint Caesarius of Nazianzen. Born into this remarkable family of saints, Gorgonia married and became the devoted mother of three children, living out her Christian vocation in the married state. She was twice miraculously cured of grave illnesses, one resulting from being trampled by a team of mules, which left her with broken bones and crushed limbs. Her brother Gregory delivered a celebrated funeral oration in her honor, praising her deep piety, her charity toward the poor, and her constant devotion to prayer and fasting. She is invoked as patron against bodily ills and sickness.