divisions (1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150) as stepping stones describing the progress of the convert from the time he repents until the time that he finally enters the joy of heaven. In the course of this work Gregory encounters a number of historical events but interprets them as so many challenges to raise our sights to a higher moral and spiritual vision. It is this intermediate level, the second of Origen’s three senses of interpretation, that captured Gregory’s imagination the most, and