Gregory was born in 329 in Arianzus, a village near Nazianzus in the district of Cappadocia in what is now Turkey. He first studied in Caesarea of Palestine, then in Alexandria and finally in Athens.  As he was sailing from Alexandria to Athens, a violent sea storm put in peril his life and his salvation. With tears and fervor he begged God to spare him, vowing to dedicate his entire being to Him, and the tempest subsided. At Athens St. Gregory was joined by St. Basil the Great and their acquaintanceship grew into a lifelong brotherly love.