Theophany 3.21–3.39

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

He then, even after all these storms of persecution, did, by means of sharp calamities and His divine teaching, so enlighten and set up throughout the whole creation, men zealous of the life of wisdom, multitudes both of men and of ministering women‘, and of congregations of virgins, that they (all) were (thus) established throughout the whole of their lives in perfect holiness.

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Who moreover persuaded women, multitudes of children, and of men, voluntarily to suffer the privation of food and of wine for many days? to sleep on the earth? to have recourse to a hard and robust discipline, coupled with chastity? and made them exchange the food of the body, for those spiritual and rational provisions of the soul,—the one for the other,—which are obtained by the divine reading?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

And, Who taught men, barbarian and rustic, as well as women, children, and innumerable multitudes of heathen slaves’, to despise death? to be persuaded that their souls were immortal? that the eye of justice’ was open, viewing the deeds of all men, just and unjust? and to hope for the judgment of God ?—That it was, on account of these things, their duty to be careful as to the life of righteousness and temperance? And, that if they were not so, they could not otherwise be brought under that yoke of righteousness, which hitherto had been brought into operation by Him alone whom we call God?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

But, let us dismiss these things, and let us otherwise approach him whose mind is (as) the rock; and let us interrogate him thus, with the questions (growing) out of these things (following) :—O bring thou forth the word of reason, not from a heart implicated in error’, but advancing (this) as the fruit of the intelligent and rational soul; and, having meditated much, say between thyself and thy soul,—

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

What other, of those preached of from ancient times, ever did like Him who is called God by us, become known, established, and declared, by the enouncements from above of the Prophets many ages ago, among those ancient friends of God, the Hebrew family ?—those (I say), who also previously delivered in writing, in the divine scriptures, the place of His manifestation, the time of His advent, the manner of His life, His power, His words, and His deeds?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Or, Who so suddenly appeared as an executor of vengeance against those who dared to oppose Him, that, upon the Jews acting (thus) impiously, He forthwith dealt out punishment by means of His unseen power on their whole nation? and overthrew to the foundations, both their place and rule?—For He at once levelled to the ground, both their Temple, and their sacred (things) !

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

And Who, like this our Saviour, has clearly foretold the things that respected the impious (Jews), and respecting the Church which was established by Himself throughout the whole creation, and in the very things themselves? and has shewn their confirmation in their effects?’——who said of the impious (Jews), ‘“ Behold, your house is left desolate’; nor shall stone remain upon stone in this place, which shall not be thrown down’'.” And of His Church He said; ‘ Upon this rock I build my Church, and the gate-bars of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

And this also, that He should change men poor and rustic, from the occupation of fishing, to that of rule? and, that He should make these into Lawgivers, and Teachers, of the whole creation of man? How is it to be imagined by thee, that He then (so) made the promise by word, and brought it to pass in deed, that He made them ‘ Fishers of men?” He gave them moreover, all this excellency and power, that they should compose and complete Books; and, that they should give such confirmation to these, that they should be received throughout the whole creation, in the languages of both the Greeks and Barbarians ? and, that in all nations they should be taught, and believed, as containing the written words of God?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

And, How does it appear to thee, that He should foretel what was about to take place? and should previously testify to His Disciples, that, because they should give their testimony to Him, they should come before Kings and Governours: and that they should be punished, and undergo grievous torments ?—

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

And this also, that He should so prepare them, that they should voluntarily suffer? and, that they should so firmly arm their souls with the armour of righteousness as with adamant, that they should be seen (engaged) in conflict against those who opposed them ;—-How does not this surpass all description ?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Nor was it only, that He impressed on the souls of those who (immediately) followed Him such power, that when, having done nothing worthy of death, they willingly underwent every species of punishment and torment, for the sake of the righteousness of that God who is over all; but also, on those who received (it) from them; and so again, on those who came afterwards; and on those even to this present, and (who live) in our own times ;—How does this not transcend every sort of miracle’?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Besides, Which of the kings ever remained prosperous in his rule, throughout all this length of time? And, Who is he, who so conquered after his own death, and established the mark of victory over his enemies, that he subdued every region, place, and city, both of the Greeks and Barbarians? and beat down, by the hidden and invisible power of (his own) right hand, that which opposed him ?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

But, the chief of all the things that have been mentioned, is that peace which was, by His power, supplied to the whole earth; of which we have already said what was proper. And, What mouth of the calumniator would not (the consideration) close, that love and concord so ran together with His doctrine in (effective) operation, into all nations ? and, that the peace which took place among the nations throughout all the world, and the word, which was sown (as seed) by Him among all nations, had formerly been so foretold by the Prophets of God? But a (whole) day would be too short, were I to attempt to collect and shew within it, the open proofs of the divine power of THE Word of God, the Saviour of all, which have been put forth up to this time. So that there never was a man at any time, no not among the Greeks, who has shewn forth ‘such transcendent and divine power as He has, who has been preached to every man, and is the Saviour of all, and the

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

What God or Hero was it, who ever delivered to all nations dwelling on the great element of the whole earth,—to those on the land, and on the sea‘,—that they should make a feast in holiness, both of the body and the soul, on the day of every week which is called among the Greeks the Sun’s day’? And, that they should assemble themselves together, not that their bodies should hear— but their souls—that it was by means of the divine teaching, they should live?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

What God or Hero was it who, when they so made war with him, set up, as our (Saviour)’ has done, such a mark of victory in opposition to his enemies? For they ceased not to contend both with His doctrine, and His people, from first to last: while He, being invisible, secretly overthrew them, and advanced His own, together with the houses of God, to great glory ! But, Why should we wish to circumscribe' by words, the divine powers of the Saviour of us all, which exceed all description? When behold! should we remain silent, the things themselves would cry out to those, whose souls have ears ?

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

This is strange indeed, and something not to be imagined; at any period too, it must be a singular thing (which) He brought to this world of mankind, and, that the only Son of God should in truth, ever have appeared to those that are on the earth :—and that the whole race of man should through Him, receive one who should in his own (human) nature, so introduce him to the righteousness which is true, that henceforth there should be set up throughout the whole creation of man, places for instruction in the Divine enouncements and teaching ; and that men, barbarous and fierce, should so change their minds to peacefulness, that the rational disposition of their souls should receive of His virtue; and, by His means, acknowledge their Father who is in heaven, with the Saviour of all, the ONLY (begotten) Word of God, the King of all; and that to Him, and through Him who is the ce Slt of every good thing, they should so render the praises that are due, and the blessings and thanksgivings which are right, that henceforth the righteous praises and thanksgivings, which are suitable to the companies of the Angels that are in heaven, should also be put up, day and night, by the inhabitants of this element of earth!

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

These acts, therefore,—pertaining to salvation, and advantageous to the world, and to the Divine Manifestation of THE Worpd or God among men, as well as innumerable others like them, on account of which he came into the world of men’—He performed not in His usual manner, that is, incorporeally ; for, He had acted throughout the whole world secretly, and, by these his works, shewed both to them who are in the heavens, and to them who are on the earth, His innumerable operations. But recently, (he has done this) in a manner foreign to His own custom. [For He has, by means of a mortal vessel,—not unlike the king, who (acts) through an Interpreter,—openly declared His edicts and methods of government among men; in order that He might evince His providential care for mortals, by that hich was like to themselves, (and) that they might find life. But, as it has been seen that not one, but many were the causes, why the Saviour of all made His Divine manifestation among men; it becomes necessary, that we should also say in a few words, in their order, why He availed himself of this human vessel, and came for the purpose of ruling among men. How then, could the Divine, concealed, invisible, and untangible, Essence,—that unembodied and incorporeal mind, THE Word of God,—otherwise exhibit himself to men immersed in the depths of evils, and the corporeal substances (of nature), seeking God upon earth, but otherwise not finding Him ;—or, being unwilling to search after the Maker and Creator of the whole creation, —if not by means of (some) human compound, and in some form known to ourselves, and, as it were by an Interpreter? For otherwise, How could the eyes of the body look upon the incorporeal nature of God? And, How could mortal nature discover Him who is concealed, (and) invisible, whom they knew not from the multitude of His works? On this account therefore, He required a mortal vessel, a help which would comport with the conversation (had) among men; because, this would be agreeable to them ; for they say, Every thing loves its Liked: ” For, just as some great king might stand much in need of an Interpreter, who could enounce his words to the inhabitants of both countries and cities, whose understanding (of languages) was diverse; so also did THE Word of God,—who was about to be for the healing of souls,—that He should exhibit himself in a body, and upon the earth. He would want a Mediator, not unlike an Interpreter, and a bodily compound. And this would be some human instrument, by means of which He could make known to men, what — those concealed (properties) of the Godhead were. Nor was it (this) alone, but also that He, the compassionate Word of God, should exhibit Himself to those who delighted in the sense of things seen, and were seeking God by means of inanimate Images, and carved Idols; and imagining, through (mere) material bodies, that there was a God; but, from the infirmity and deficiency of their minds were giving to men, mortal in their nature, the name of Gods. On this account, He prepared for himself a Temple more holy than all; a bodily vessel, and sensible habitation, for the rational Power ; an Image pure, and in every thing excellent, and more honourable than the whole of inanimated images. For that which was of inanimate matter, and in the form of an Image of brass, iron, gold, Ivory, stone, or wood, was fabricated by the hands of artificers of (mere) matter, altogether for the residence of Demons, and to administer to the error of fools. But the Divine Image, variously adorned by the wisdom of the Divine Power, partook of life and of the Essence which is intelligent: the Image, filled with every excellence,—the Divine Image, the habitation of THE Word of God, and the. holy temple of the holy God,—was prepared by the power of the Holy Ghost, in order that He, who resided therein, might become known among mortal men by means of one who was their equal, as it were by an Interpreter; but who should not fall after the manner of their passions, nor be bound in the body, as the manner is with the soul of man: nor yet, when appearing small (in reputation), should undergo any change on that account as to his Godhead. For, as the rays of the sun’s light suffer nothing from their filling every thing, nor when they permeate the unclean bodies of mortals; so, in a far higher degree, the Power which is incorporeal, THE Word of God, suffers nothing in its own Essence, neither is it mutilated, nor is it ever diminished, when, incorporeal as it is, it permeates that which is corporeal. in the same manner therefore, the Saviour of all presented himself to every man (as) the helper and Saviour, by means of the human vessel which He put forth, just as the musician‘ (does), who is willing to shew his skill by means of his lyre. History too among the Greeks teaches (us), that Orpheus moved by his song every sort of animal, and pacified their angry feelings by means of a hollow instrument, the strings of which he struck. This is moreover sung in the assemblies of the Greeks; and it is believed, that an inanimate lyre soothed both the animals and trees, and so changed even the oaks that they became imitators of music. This (personage) therefore, filled with all wisdom and all prudence, THE Worv or God, put forth every sort of healing for the souls of men which had been reduced to all kinds of evil. He took into His hands the instrument of the musician, the work of His own wisdom: this He struck with His hand, (producing) songs and sweet strains to rational man, not to animals that are irrational; and healed, by the medicines of His heavenly teaching, every kind of the fierce, both of the Greeks and Barbarians, as well as the rude and beastlike passions of the soul; and. did, as a skilful physician, shew by the aid of one of their equals, and who was like to themselves,— to the souls which were implicated in disease, and seeking God among bodies and substances which were elemental,—God in man! Nor again, was He less careful as to the body, than He was as to the soul. For He provided, that the things which He did by means of the Body‘, should be apparent to men’s bodily eyes; (that is) that they should see astonishing miracles, signs, and (other) divine powers. And again, He preached to the hearing of the body, these doctrines through a bodily tongue’. All these things therefore, He delivered by means of the Body which he bore,—as it were by an Interpreter,—to those who otherwise could not,—-except only in this way,—be made sensible of His Godhead. These things too, were (thus) administered by the will of His Father: He still remaining with His Father, as He was — before, immaterial, incorporeal, (and) unchanged as to His — (eternal) Essence. Nor did he suffer corruption from His — : (former) nature; nor was He confined by the bonds of the body; nor was He here, only such as His human vessel was; nor was He restrained from being in other places of (this) whole: on the contrary, even then, when He conversed among men, did He fill all things: was with His Father’ and was in Him; and then also, He fully and providentially took care of all things, whether in heaven, oron the earth. Nor was He ever, as we are, withholden from being near to every thing; nor was He hindered from acting, after His own divine manner. On the contrary, the things that were of Himself He gave to man; but, those which were of man, He took not. Of His divine power too, He provided for mortals; while from His participation with the mortal, He received nothing. Neither was He who was incorporeal, polluted when born in the body. Nor again, did He who was impervious to passion, suffer in His (eternal) Essence, even when mortal nature had been assigned to Him. For, neither does he who strikes the lyre become in any thing subject to suffering, although the instrument should be broken, or’ the strings be cut: in like manner too, we do not say when punishment is inflicted on the person of a wise man, that the wisdom of the wise man, or the soul which is in his body, is either cut off, or consumed. So, much less is it right we should affirm, that the Power of the Divine Word can receive any thing like loss from the sufferings of the body. Nor, does any thing forbid our affirming that,— since, in our example, the rays' of the Sun sent down from heaven to earth, permeated the clay, mire, and every sort of impurity,—the light was therefore in no respect polluted, although these things received light from its splendour. For the light did not (thus) become clay, nor did the Sun become polluted, by its commixture with (such) body; because these things are not foreign in their nature to bodies. But! He,—who is immaterial and incorporeal, THE Word of God, who is both the life, and intelligent light,—impels, by the divine power which is incorporeal, every thing He approaches, both to live and to remain in this rational light. In like manner also, the body to which this is near becomes sanctified; and quickly does He enlighten it: all diseases too, pains and sufferings, pass away (from it) ; and that which was defective is supplied from (His) fulness. On this account He gave up His whole life, at one time exhibiting His image under sufferings like those common to ourselves; at another, revealing himself, God Tue Word, in great and astonishing works and acts, as God. And, when He foretold. something by His prophetic words which should come to pass, He likewise exhibited Him who was invisible to the many, THE Word of God, by works, and by astonishing deeds; by signs, wonders, and extraordinary powers (put forth): and again, instructing the souls of men by the divine doctrines, He prepared them to draw near to the heavenly city which is above’, and to hasten to those their fellow-citizens there, as to their own brothers and equals: also, to know their Father who is in heaven, and the excellency of their kind, which is of the Essence that is intellectual and rational: teaching them also, that they should no more err, but henceforth so live in all purity and holiness,—so (I say), that they might make their departure hence to that place easy, and without hindrance; and, that they should be prepared to receive forthwith, with the companies of the holy Angels, everlasting life with God the King of all, and the light which cannot be described, and the kingdom of heaven.