Peter of Sebaste

When did Peter live?

Peter of Sebaste is dated c. 340 – c. 391 in the archive, which places Peter in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.

Which early sources mention Peter?

Peter of Sebaste is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Gregory of Nyssa. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Peter from?

The archive associates Peter of Sebaste with Annisa, Sebaste. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.

Who were Peter’s contemporaries?

The archive links Peter of Sebaste to 5 other figures, including Emmelia of Caesarea, Macrina the Younger, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

[Both prefaces are addressed to Peter, and both say the work was undertaken at his asking — the plainest measure of his standing with his brother.]

Gregory of Nyssa's In Hexaemeron (c. AD 380) and Contra Eunomium (c. 380–383), each addressed in its preface to his younger brother Peter of Sebaste. Greek: Hubertus Drobner, Gregorii Nysseni Opera 4.1 (2009), and Werner Jaeger, Gregorii Nysseni Opera 1–2 (1960). English translation of Against Eunomius by William Moore and Henry Austin Wilson, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2nd series, vol. 5 (1893), public domain; the Hexaemeron has no public-domain English.

Peter, the youngest of us all… Macrina was father, teacher, guide, mother, counsellor of all good to him, and so wrought upon him that he was fitted for the priesthood while yet a youth.