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Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), Russian icon painter

Catena Aurea on Luke 2:6–7: Gregory of Nyssa

Russian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX · Public domainRussian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX

CommentGregory of NyssaPublic domainLuke 2:6–7

Though coming in the form of man, yet not in every thing is He subject to the laws of man’s nature; for while His being born of a woman, tells of human nature; virginity becoming capable of childbirth betokens something above man. Of Him then His mother’s burden was light, the birth immaculate, the delivery without pain, the nativity without defilement, neither beginning from wanton desire, nor brought to pass with sorrow. For as she who by her guilt engrafted death into our nature, was condemned to bring forth in trouble, it was meet that she who brought life into the world should accomplish her delivery with joy. But through a virgin’s purity He makes His passage into mortal life at a time in which the darkness was beginning to fail, and the vast expanse of night to fade away before the exceeding brightness of the light. For the death of sin had brought an end of wickedness which from henceforth tends to nothing by reason of the presence of the true light which has illuminated the whole world with the rays of the Gospel.

Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).

Also cites: Diem Nat. Christi.

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