The homily of Saint Gregory the Theologian "On the Love of the Poor" and its connections with the question of the environment and poverty

This article examines the fourteenth homily of Saint Gregory the Theologian, entitled "On the Love of the Poor," in light of contemporary issues related to the environment and poverty. Written from a paper presented at the Ecumenical Patriarchate's seminar at Halki in 1998, it offers a patristic rereading of these questions. The author shows that Gregory articulates a social critique of wealth, a theology of moral responsibility toward the poor, and a vision of humanity as "steward" of creation. The main contribution of the article is to demonstrate that the opposition between rich and poor, as well as the environmental crisis, are theologically interpreted as consequences of sin, and that their resolution calls for the same personal conversion, grounded in generosity and thanksgiving toward God.