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Church FatherEphrem the SyrianPublic domaincited at p. 137

Hymns on the Nativity 10, stanzas 6–8

Hymns on the Nativity 10, stanzas 6–8 — Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 13 (J. B. Morris / A. Edward Johnston, ed. John Gwynn, 1898) (public domain)

But in Your Resurrection You persuade them concerning Your Birth; since the womb was sealed, and the sepulchre closed up; being alike pure in the womb, and living in the sepulchre. The womb and the sepulchre being sealed were witnesses unto You.

The belly and hell cried aloud of Your Birth and Your Resurrection: The belly conceived You, which was sealed; hell brought You forth which was closed up. Not after nature did either the belly conceive You, or hell give You up!

Sealed was the sepulchre whereto they had entrusted You, that it might keep the dead [safe], Virgin was the womb which no man knew. Virgin womb and sealed sepulchre, like trumpets, proclaimed Him in the ears of a deaf people.

The sealed belly and the closed rock were among the accusers. For they slandered the Conception as being of the seed of man, and the Resurrection as being of the robbery of man; the seal and the signet convicted them, and pleaded that You were of Heaven.

Reproduced in full. Translation: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 13 (J. B. Morris / A. Edward Johnston, ed. John Gwynn, 1898) (Public domain).

Why Pitre cites it

'The womb and the sepulcher being sealed were witnesses unto you.' Ephrem's hymn is Pitre's second Ephrem text for the sealed womb and the sealed tomb as one mystery.

Notes

Numbering caveat: in NPNF2-13 the 'sealed womb / sealed sepulchre' stanzas are in Nativity Hymn VIII (stanzas 5–8 by count), not in NPNF's Hymn X (which is Mary's song 'In You will I begin to speak'). NPNF's Hymn VIII appears to correspond to Beck/McVey Nativity 10. Exact wording: 'since the womb was sealed, and the sepulchre closed up ... The womb and the sepulchre being sealed were witnesses unto You.' Four stanzas given so that stanzas 6–8 (modern count) are surely covered.

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