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By late 372 Gregory returned to Nazianzus to assist his dying father with the administration of his diocese.<ref name = "McGuckin" />{{rp |199}} This strained his relationship with Basil, who insisted that Gregory resume his post at Sasima. Gregory retorted that he had no intention to continue to play the role of pawn to advance Basil's interests.<ref>{{citation |last=Gallay |first=P. |title=Grégoire de Nazianze |place=Paris |year=1964 |language=French |page=61}}; quoting from Ep. 48, PG 37.97.</ref> He instead focused his attention on his new duties as [[Coadjutor bishop|coadjutor]] of Nazianzus. It was here that Gregory preached the first of his great episcopal orations.{{cn|date=January 2020}}
Following the deaths of his mother and father in 374, Gregory continued to administer the Diocese of Nazianzus but refused to be named bishop. Donating most of his inheritance to the needy, he lived an austere existence.<ref name = "Hunter-Blair" /> At the end of 375 he withdrew to a monastery at [[Silifke|Seleukia]], living there for three years. Near the end of this period his friend Basil died. Although Gregory's health did not permit him to attend the funeral, he wrote a heartfelt letter of condolence to Basil's brother, [[Gregory of Nyssa]] and composed twelve memorial poems dedicated to the memory of his departed friend.{{cn|date=January 2020}}
===Gregory at Constantinople===
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