Expositio in Psalmos OF OUR HOLY FATHER CYRIL ARCHBISHOP

 I was established king by him. (B f. 6, 7, E f. 4, K f. 27.) And being without need by nature, whatever he is said to receive, he has taken, so that w

 which He possesses naturally as Son and God. And your possession, the ends of the earth. (K f. 27 b.) This shows that it does not have reason in the c

 he leaves us a most clear teaching of patience, and teaches that in difficult circumstances one must approach no one other than God, and that the frui

 we too can say in temptations. But see that when we become sober, then God also arises for our salvation. And so David himself first put away the slee

 To the end, in hymns. A psalm of a song for David. (A f. 20.) The third

 to those who think to capture the just man by the multitude of an army, these things are said. For having learned from experience itself how much bene

 of there being confusion in life? And while others live in luxury, but we are in poverty and the worst evils, what proof is there of divine providence

 the difference between You have hated and You will destroy first, whether You have hated is worse than You will destroy and second, why the

 the law of sin entered, the one in the members of the flesh, the one warring against and taking captive the mind to everything that is improper. There

 To the Lord, concerning the words of Cush, the son of Jemeni. (A f. 3 b) But you see that the word sends you, who have been trained in so many victori

 O Lord, according to my righteousness. (A f. 45) But the prophet, having said in another way that the Lord will judge the peoples, now introduces also

 to represent for us things sometimes not openly, but as if done in secret and by thought. He hath made his arrows for them that burn. (A f. 4) Let bot

 mystagogues those from both the Jewish flock and from the nations believing in Christ, and as it were from the Lord's vineyard they gather fruits or

 for our sakes. That we might be enriched beyond nature in him. For he raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Chris

 this voice is for those who have known the truth. They shall grow weak and shall perish from your presence. (A f. 60 b) And according to the anagogica

 and ruling over all things. For Christ will judge in righteousness, and will rule the peoples throughout the whole world for he has become king of al

 the skillfulness of the economy of the flesh. For the word of the mystery is exceedingly deep, and comprehensible in part by slender inquiries, and ac

 I will declare praises and all of them without omission, so that in no way it is lacking of doxology. And they seem by this to de clare that it is fit

 are the demons for in no way do they remember God in their actions, but they are outside of all virtue and good works. That the poor man will not be

 Satan suggesting to him to emulate the lawless one. (A f. 6 b.) Therefore the saying is true and spoken against every boaster and harsh man, who consu

 they rise up against. God is not before his eyes. [Of every man who loves sin, and looks unrestrainedly toward transgression, and is wholly inclined t

 he is humbled. For he said in his heart: God has forgotten. (L f. 72.) And Satan thought that he would lord it over the poor, with God no longer watch

 [sin] of the sinner who does evil, might not be found on account of it, that is, he will justly be destroyed. You will perish, nations, from his land.

 sending our thoughts, and pushing away the lowliness of earthly things, we will be proof against base pleasures. For behold, the sinners have bent the

 a bride, as he mentioned things befitting anger and judgment rather than marriage and joy. Or the eye signifies the unerringness of God. A spirit of t

 True each one spoke vanities to his neighbor, gathering plots against our Savior. And the poets and prose-writers among the Greeks, in no way caring

 my enemy against me? (C f. 23 b.) But he asks God about these things not as if he himself were the cause, but as one able to prevent it by the inclina

 has been found. 69.804 Shall not all the workers of iniquity know? (A f. 83 b.) This verse should be read as a question. For since he said that They

 he addresses words to God the Father not so much on his own behalf, but for our sake and on our behalf, as one of us because of the economy. Therefore

 concerning them and Satan: He that searcheth out their blood hath remembered and this, They are laid in Hades like sheep death shall be their she

 of the just man is the Lord, but of the sinner, the devil. [For God, being by nature both life and life-giver, gave life to His own temple, not achiev

 Jews and Greeks, and the inventors of profane heresies from whom the apostles exhort to be delivered and that safety which nature has granted to the

 that is, of the devil and of the demons, as one plotted against vehemently by all, he prays. Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and trip them up. (B f. 58.)

 the era of his tyranny and fire also followed, the utter destruction of the enemy certainly having come from the face of God, that is, from Christ, w

 providing, and causing to trample down the enemies like venomous beasts. But since it is a characteristic of the nature of fawns to destroy beasts, an

 they supposed heaven, that is the firmament, to be God, and they worshipped it. And yet they were able to perceive the craftsman from the marvelous st

 this discourse on the law and the ordinances precedes. But the connection is much greater. And how, I will say from here: These are three divine laws

 PSALM 19. May the Lord hear you in the day of tribulation. (A f. 116 b.) The aim of the saints is always directed towards God, and looking to him alon

 a crown of righteousness. May your hand be found against all your enemies. (C f. 40.) In one way he is found by those who persist in sin, and 69.837 i

 wrinkle, but holy and blameless? He certainly hymns the Father, making His glory manifest for this is what the name signifies.

 For Satan fears those who partake of the mysteries with reverence And your mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life. (A f. 130 b) It will certain

 that he who is about to ascend the spiritual mountain of the Lord, let him be blameless both in body and in spirit innocent in his hands, that is, bl

 having been called from the nations, as the Lord says: Declare your iniquities first, that you may be justified and for this reason they come forwa

 Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence. (A f. 141) Indeed, the person introduced here, seeks to be judged, but not for his transgressions

 me. And here we say that the rock is either the unbroken and unbreakable disposition of the mind towards endurance, or Christ on whom we all rely for

 a power that puts into practice what is necessary. Therefore, every soul is beautiful which is seen in the symmetry of its own powers since the beaut

 deeming himself worthy to obtain, but on account of the divine name. Into your hands I will commit my spirit. (A f. 167 b) But according to the meanin

 to him. And for no one of sound mind is it doubtful, that they will be stronger than every temptation and the plot of their enemies, whoever might hav

 as in a tent, placing him outside both the turmoil of men and the contradiction of tongues. Or perhaps He calls His Church the city of the saints, the

 direct it aright. For if one abstains from evil, and having run back to the understanding befitting a human being, should put off the bestial mindset,

 He bids the guardians of intellectual uprightness to take hold, but he bids them to make their doxologies with holy gladness. It is likely that the Ps

 David, so that by learning the greatness of the inherent excellence in the divine and ineffable nature, we may send away laziness in doing good as a d

 and to the elements of the world and there was not among them one who did good, there was not even one, with all being oppressed by such terrible sic

 of anyone, that is, reporting, but as an overseer of thoughts, and seeing into hearts, and knowing the hidden things. For the light is with him, just

 to those who hope in you. And may this become a sign of genuineness, and a very clear one. For as being appropriated to him, and rejoicing in him alon

 of this operation he partakes. Come to him, and be enlightened. (C f. 70) Those who wish to say something about the divine and most high nature, think

 a rich distribution, and the participation of earthly things not leading to worldly luxuries, but rather measuring out to the needs of the body what

 gifts both equal in contest and evenly matched, I mean, both God's hearing the prayer of the just, and his delivering them not from just one, but from

 an obstacle to others. For Christ said: And woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge you yourselves did not enter, and you h

 establishing and saying: I have come as a light into this world. The Jews, therefore, disobeying the true one, and closing the eye of their own mind

 mind, and placing all hope in God, they both compel and snatch away, pouncing like wild barbarians, wicked men and servants of diabolical plots, and f

 That is, their mind has remained unbending and merciless. But I, he says, did not know. What did I not know? Obviously the reason for which the scourg

 sanctification. But spiritual worship is superior to the worship in the law, and the truth to what is in shadows therefore the great might be reasona

 your enemies a footstool for your feet the pride of the Jews has fallen, their mindset was brought down to earth, and they did not rejoice over him,

 to be written To the servant of the Lord, to David, shows that it would be fitting for the ode to be dedicated to the person of the divine David, si

 He speaks so unguardedly and everywhere makes his word counterfeit, so that it is seen to be full both of lawlessness and of deceit of lawlessness, a

 to men, but indeed also to the irrational animals themselves. For somewhere He said also to the divine Jonah: You had pity on the gourd, for which yo

 Where, as it is said, is such a thing: May I not be there where those who are shaken fall, and having fallen are cast out, and being cast out can no l

 kept and treasured up with God. Or he has set down 'dwell' instead of 'you shall dwell'. He clearly means that land which was promised to the meek, in

 indeed for the lovers of learning, that the beneficial words concerning the same things should most often take up residence in the mind. This, indeed,

 unholy heretics opposing them. Therefore, as long as the saints are in this life, those who fight are very many but when they have come into the land

 and loves a temperate poverty. But this is better for him than the great wealth of a sinner. For the arms of sinners will be broken, but the Lord supp

 being crowned, and boasting in the powers of worldly dignities, but still they will perish for the end of their life turns to ruin and destruction. B

 by his will. (A f. 198 b, B f. 130) But it is perhaps better to understand that the Lord will desire the way of man, that is, he will make it desirabl

 who have enriched their intimacy, but he will avenge them. Which makes clear that in the present life the choir of the saints is not altogether in fai

 tracks, and crosses the waves arising from circumstances, and swims through the surge of the present life for the law has been given for assistance [

 Does he not say it lies in the sight of all, and that no one is completely ignorant of it? For he makes his own, as it were, common to others for he

 to David, his son Amnon Absalom rebelled, deeming it right to drive out his own father not only from the kingdom, but even from life itself. Coming t

 B f. 134 b) He says, therefore, that the arrows of God have been fixed in him, and that the hand has been laid heavily upon him, clearly the piercing

 should he slip through some snatching of the devil, his conscience is terribly weighed down, so that he is not able to be silent, nor to hide his own

 But the divinely-inspired Scripture speaks of the mockery from some, that is, the laughter from enemies. For there are, there are some among us who ar

 he immediately shows it to be filled, and almost full of war and battle, on the one hand with good thoughts abstaining from it, inasmuch as it is nece

 something even harsh, they say, against your glory. For this, and nothing else, is the meaning of some boasting while saints are being tested. For the

 For this, I think, is to be hated in vain, that is, unjustly. Who they might be who hate unjustly, he clarifies again in these words: For those repay

 to be warmed, is perhaps better than according to us and perhaps not in our power but to be able to restrain with reasonings for the better is possib

 Rightly did the Psalmist call the image vanity since we do not now live the true life, but the life as in an image, nor do we exert ourselves for the

 strangers and sojourners, having from our fathers the state of being under sin, and being held by the afflictions caused by sin and by the death from

 For the Jews [expected] him to arrive in due time as a Savior and Redeemer, not of themselves alone, but also of all the nations. And so indeed Simeon

 Blessed is the man whose hope is the name of the Lord, etc. (I f. 201) We are certainly the ones who have received such a blessing for we have been n

 he sends forth good things, which would not be unsuited to the person of the only-begotten Son of God, who took on our likeness, being incarnate and m

 righteousness in a great church. (B f. 146 b, I f. 203 b, L f. 109) A great church is one composed of great and perfect ones, in which he proclaimed t

 a curse for us and he who knew no sin, God made him to be sin for us to whom it is also fitting to ask for mercy. (I f. 207, of Cyril and Didymus) B

 those running with him. But you, Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up, and I will repay them. (A f. 224 b, I f. 208) These things befit Christ on a

 eternally, the blessing beginning from us in the present, but being perfected in the future when that which is in part shall be done away with.

 to bewail bitterly the unexpected turn of events for the worse. Of what things then does he say to be mindful? First, that he has offended God through

 of your wonders, which you showed us at the Jordan, and which at its neighboring mountain Hermon, I will console myself. And loftily he says thus: Hav

 He makes manifest, and brings to pass by night, that is, in secret. Perhaps he also wishes to speak of the swiftness of God's help. For just as you, w

 you trouble me Hope in God, for I will confess to Him the salvation of my countenance is my God. We have already given the interpretation of these

 true, to use such expressions. And Christ himself says about himself 69.1016: I am the light, and the truth, and the life. The light is not differen

 is it necessary even to be grieved, when such good things are hoped for? For yet a little while, and he who is to come will come, and will not delay,

 to guard you in all your ways. Or the command, nod only, and your people will enjoy salvation. In you we will push down our enemies. (L f. 116 b) Hor

 showing the way by which one might enter into life. Therefore, they say these things, that having acted impiously toward Christ, they were also cast o

 We say that Jews and Greeks have been changed, so that those called from both have become one beloved people. For as Paul says, Christ created the tw

 For even if he became [a man on earth,] no less as one born of the Father as of a king, has he remained king both in the heights according to nature,

 above every name, that at his name every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and every tongue will

 you will find rest for your souls. But if someone should say that truth in all things (for there is nothing false in Him of what is divinely fitting)

 concerning God the Father many such things are written, that the Lord is Just and has loved justice. And again: You have hated all who work iniquity.

 of proclamations. For this is what the blessed Paul also says For in Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you. Therefore from your garme

 from within in golden tassels. (A f. 253) Hidden, he says, is the adornment of the Church in mind and thought. And the tassels, or cords, are the mani

 his. (B f. 175, I f. 246 b) And you will understand the roaring and troubled waters as the multitude of the nations for thus the God-inspired Scriptu

 not only Judea, but indeed also known to all on the earth through the evangelical preachings of the holy ministers, who, traversing all the world unde

 to be both his measuring line and his inheritance. And in another way you will understand, that in addition to the multitude of the nations, they also

 a great and immeasurable multitude of the nations that are under all heaven. Sing praises, therefore, with understanding, that is, using a holy and fi

 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

 we have heard, so also have we seen for not being willing to accept the prophecies concerning it, we have beheld their truth for ourselves. But how c

 of Judea because of your judgments, O Lord, that is, the good ones. And the daughters of Je 69.1065 rusalem could be understood as the cities situated

 To the end, for the sons of Korah. (A f. 269.) Through this present moral psalm, the things concerning the divine tribunal are preached to all men, an

 wise men dying. (I f. 270. b.) Instead of, And he labored forever, Symmachus says, But having ceased from this age, he will continue living forever

 He called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. (A f. 280 b, B f. 191 b.) The saints are called by God, when having become man he spoke

 fervent, all we who have been deemed worthy of such grace and we have become partakers of the divine nature through receiving the Holy Spirit. For th

 a fellowship has come to men and a bond of love towards the holy angels. And somewhere the divine David also sings: An angel will encamp around those

 one might suppose, that the Psalmist makes the words not so much from the mouth of the Lord, but from his own heart, he added: O God, I am your God.

 [Having heard the prophetic Spirit decreeing through the aforesaid psalm about the judgment of God, and how it said to the sinner: If you saw a thief

 of loving-kindness. For it belongs only to the mercies of God to wash the hands of the murderous defilement. But He who formed nature pities it for H

 should investigate the occasion of the union, he will find it to be a desire of the flesh... even if what is done is not defended as a sin. Therefore,

 the energy of the Spirit, whose grace makes us fervent in spirit, and melts away all the filth in us, like a fire poured invisibly within. For this re

 God of all, that My Spirit shall not abide in these men, for they are flesh. Saying, therefore, Cast me not away from your presence, and take not y

 and an offering and whole burnt offerings, and these things are righteousness. Then they will offer calves upon your altar. (A f. 292 b, B f. 203, K f

 death and bringing down the soul of man to hades, whisperings, slander, and blasphemy against God. May he make you migrate from your tent, and your ro

 for considering injustice in their heart, and while thinking one thing, speaking another with their mouth. For even if the words are good, by which yo

 David, having seen that Christ, who came from him according to the flesh, was alone without sin, and having foreseen in the spirit the madness of his

 for days, certain times and ages but do not suppose that he says such things about a certain king, but know rather that it is about everyone who has

 I will be he has put. I will not, he says, be a migrant from the truth into error, and a slave of sin. Hope in him, every congregation of peoples. (A

 my, in a desolate and trackless and waterless land. (A f. 320 b, E f. 114 b. Of Cyril and of Nyssa.) A soul says these things, being in a land desolat

 those inclined to laziness will wander here and there, but not the keepers of the law. For it has been rightly said concerning the just man: The law

 They strengthened for themselves a wicked word. (B f. 260 b, E f. 116 b.) For wicked, as I have already said many times, are the counsels of the unhol

 When those who inhabit the world, having seen great signs, fear the good fear, then indeed both in the goings out of the morning and of the evening, t

 are they called valleys? Because they receive water from the spiritual mountains, that is, the prophets.

 blotting out your sins, and I will not remember them. Let those who provoke not be exalted in themselves. (E f. 121 b, F f. 96 b) He calls the Jews p

 Israel has been delivered from Egypt at various times but he teaches not according to what the letter of the law says, but as one who has preached th

 that it is fitting for all peoples and the nations throughout the world to rejoice, and to dance, and to recount your benefactions. For they knew that

 necessarily the before him, it is clear that this means before our Savior of all, Christ. And what the careful observance of the saying is, it is ne

 filling the ears, as the exodus of the sons of Israel became renowned, and escaped the notice of no one on the earth. For the things from you became f

 These then were made white as snow in Selmon. But in Selmon is a Hebrew 69.1152 word, and is interpreted as recompense. And so those who were sent

 f. 341 b) It teaches how they will return, that is, with the evil powers having been destroyed. For he brought down their blood to the earth and was s

 and leaders of the Churches. Command, O God, your power. (A f. 342 b, B f. 282, E f. 129, H f. 156, K f. 122 b) He says the Son is the power of the Fa

 high and conspicuous. But in another way, the great deeds of God are made known to the most contemplative Israel, and his power to the one who is abov

 I mean, that of the passion. For the cross of the Lord has become a stumbling block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Greeks. Therefore they called

 that he might redeem those under the law. Coming to this, he says: A time of good pleasure, similar to, The hour has come. In the multitude of yo

 clearly of death. And what then is the manner of redemption? Justification in Christ, salvation through faith, the remission of sins through holy bapt

 sin, pain. God of all things also accuses them of this cruelty, and says: I delivered them into your hands, but you gave them no mercy you made the

 of the captives promising to praise God after their return. It will please God more than a young bull. (A f. 351 b, B f. 292, E f. 134 b, H f. 182 b)

 good, to wish with shame. But I am poor and needy O God, help me. (A f. 353) Perhaps these things are also said from the person of the people of the

 of the sea? First he defines for us the borders of the land of the Jews then, he says, his kingdom will be extended throughout the whole world. Now

 PSALM 72.

 I said to the transgressors, do not transgress, and to the sinners: Do not exalt

 to become of faint-heartedness. Then what happened, or what at all was the matter that persuaded him to be anxious or to worry, he shows next by sayin

 according to that in Ezekiel, A wheel in a wheel. But also lightnings are those who flash forth the intelligible light to us, the sacred ministers o

 And why, I say, do you accuse the Master? I do not accuse, he says, but rather I ask for his accustomed and innate gentleness. These things, then, the

 its roots, etc. (G f. 88 b, L f. 193) For going before he cast out nations from their face. And the root of the Judaic vine is Moses or Joshua. These

 for under Mount Sinai, when God had descended upon it in the form of fire. Then, as it is written in Exodus, the Lord spoke these words: Hear, O Isra

 God stood in the assembly of gods. (D f. 208 b, F f. 135) And in these verses He undoubtedly calls the Savior God, true God, not illegitimate, not fal

 they received the light of truth, they recognized the truth, they learned the ways of piety, they entered into the divine courts, they therefore prais

 To you I will cry all the day long. (E f. 177, K f. 159 b) The *all the*

 And God will make him firstborn, as the great Paul also says: that he might be the firstborn among many brethren and again the firstborn from the

 economy? How long, O Lord? that is, until when will the audacious acts of the Jews prevail? They killed, he says, the author of life. Will he then l

 God saves, for he delivers from attack and from listlessness, that is, the noonday demon. A thousand will fall at your side. (C f. 374 b, H f. 396 b)

 the all-powerful right hand of the Father. It was necessary, therefore, for each of the genuine worshippers to be understood and spoken of by the Fath

 from him in many ways. For being God, the Lord appeared to us, flashing around all things with God-befitting glory, and bestowing the ray of the true

 fruit. Such 69.1229 are all who have righteousness in Christ for they stand firm and unshaken, having a white heart. Thus somewhere the Psalmist also

 humility but indeed even so in the heights befitting God and in the form of a servant He is Lord.]

 blessed for they did not have the righteousness that is in faith, nor the sanctification through the Spirit. But truly blessed are those who are perf

 my. (B f. 384, H f. 419 b.) God exhorts those who labor for virtue, those who toil for piety, those wishing to achieve the way of life pleasing to Him

 Anonymi.) Does he then say great in comparison with other small things? He does not say this, but rather that the dignity of greatness belongs only

 my righteousness, and my mercy to be revealed and my salvation shall be burned as a lamp. And He calls the Son mercy and righteousness for through

 433 b. Cord. Athanasii.) For the primevally evil Satan, the sower of tares, the inventor and teacher of all wickedness, seized the nature of man unto

 running about everywhere, and sending the divine and intelligible light into the hearts of those being initiated.] [He saw, and the earth was shaken.

 PSALM 7.

 For they gush forth, as it were, the word from heaven to the people under their hand, themselves receiving it from Christ. For as the saints themselve

 a mind to the footstool? and also hands and eyes? Do not suppose this. For the word under it is fashioned as if from our own affairs and from human th

 [I walked in the innocence of my heart. What is, In the innocence of my heart? It means, without malice and without meddling, not loving the disturb

 [And wine gladdens the heart of man. But such a one is surely spiritual, and productive of saving intoxication.] [The trees of the plain shall be sati

 does he wish those who have been caught to perish and disappear? And yet it was more fitting 69.1268 for one both holy and Spirit-bearing to pray more

 PSALM 114.

 f. 486 b, H f. 621) For God accepts spiritual manliness, self-control, patience, and in addition to these, the virtues. My soul is in your hands conti

concerning God the Father many such things are written, that the Lord is Just and has loved justice. And again: "You have hated all who work iniquity." And again: "I am the Lord who loves justice, and hates plunder from injustice." Therefore, if our great Lord says these things because he loves justice and hates injustice, will being great be a reward for God the Father? and a recompense for virtue, that he loves these things but hates those? But no one would ever be so mad as to think this. Therefore, just as in the case of the Father such sayings are piously understood, so should they be understood also in the case of the Son; for the image is in relation to the archetype, and the archetype to the image. Then, since, he says, being God you do not know how to sin (for you love justice, and turn away from iniquity, having a nature that is inaccessible, so to speak, to all evil), "therefore God, your God, has anointed you." For the Son, having become man, was anointed as high priest and apostle of our confession, that he might bring us to 69.1040 God the Father, as we offer up the sweet fragrance of faith in him. And he is anointed with the oil of gladness, that we might understand the grace through the Holy Spirit, which brings us to perpetual cheerfulness and gladness. For even if this is said to have been done for Christ, the matter was full of economy. For the Son is the bestower of the Holy Spirit; for all things of the Father are naturally in him. But he himself also receives the Spirit humanly with us, when he became as we are, not adding anything to himself insofar as he is understood as God and Word, but in himself and first in the nature of man procuring the Spirit of gladness. For where there is participation in the divine nature, and the grace of adoption, and the promise of life for a long age and the kingdom of heaven, there surely is gladness. Nevertheless, Christ has been anointed beyond his companions; for we have the pledge of the Spirit in ourselves; but as Paul says, all the fullness of the Godhead is understood to dwell bodily in Christ. For this reason the saints say that he does not give the Spirit by measure, but rather they confess that from his fullness they receive (A f. 250 b) When was Christ anointed? When the Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove. Then he also received the new name, according to the voice of the prophet. For he said that they will call him by the new name, which the Lord will name for him. For before the incarnation, the Word, being still naked and without flesh, was divinely named light and life and such things. But after the incarnation, the economy of which the power of being anointed introduces, having now been anointed by the Father he receives the new name, that is, Christ. For he who is the bestower of sanctification to others as God, is sanctified with us according to his humanity; in which is also grace, and the sanctification of the flesh, which is not holy by nature, but as in participation from God. And he called the disciples brothers, and made them partakers of himself. For as God he sanctifies, anointing with his own Spirit those who have become partakers of him through faith. Myrrh and stacte and cassia from your garments, from ivory palaces, from which the daughters of kings have made you glad in your honor. (E f. 83, I f. 239 b) The garments of Christ should be understood as those who have come near him, and are as it were close to his skin and around him, through both faith and sanctification and spiritual intimacy. And indeed, the ivory palaces, they say are the Churches in these things. For a `baris` is called any tower; and we say that the 69.1041 Churches have been fortified by the power and grace of Christ; for they have been founded on the rock; And ivory, instead of brilliant and precious and most beautiful; for this is also in them, just as it is, of course, in vessels made of ivory. And these ivory palaces are also daughters of kings. How, or in what way? For the divine disciples, being sons of the kingdom, would reasonably be called kings also. And they have also become fathers of the Churches; for they begot them through the Gospel and the sacred things

περὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς κείμενα τοιαῦτα πολλὰ, ὅτι ∆ίκαιος Κύριος καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἠγάπησεν. Καὶ πάλιν· "Ἐμίσησας πάντας τοὺς ἐργαζομένους τὴν ἀνομίαν." Καὶ πάλιν· "Ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ἀγαπῶν δικαιοσύνην, καὶ μισῶν ἁρπάγματα ἐξ ἀδικίας." Ἆρ' οὖν, εἴπερ καὶ διὰ ταῦτα λέγει μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, ὅτι τὴν μὲν δικαιοσύνην ἀγαπᾶ, μισεῖ δὲ τὴν ἀδικίαν, μισθὸς ἔσται τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρὶ τὸ μέγας; καὶ ἀρετῆς ἀνταπόδοσις, ὅτι τάδε μὲν ἀγαπᾷ, μισεῖ δὲ ἐκεῖνα; Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἄν τις τοῦτο μανείη ποτέ. Ὥσπερ οὖν ἐπὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς εὐσε βῶς νοεῖται τὰ τοιῶσδε λεγόμενα, ὡσαύτως ἐκληφθείη καὶ ἐφ' Υἱοῦ· πρὸς γὰρ τὸ ἀρχέτυπον ἡ εἰκὼν, καὶ τὸ ἀρχέτυπον πρὸς τὴν εἰκόνα. Εἶτ' ἐπειδὴ, φησὶ, Θεὸς ὢν πλημμελεῖν οὐκ οἶσθα (δικαιοσύνην γὰρ ἀγαπᾷς, καὶ ἀποστρέφῃ ἀνομίαν, ἄβατον, ἵν' οὕτως εἴπω, τὴν σαυτοῦ φύσιν ἔχων παντὶ πονηρῷ), "διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ Θεὸς, ὁ Θεός σου." Κέχρισται γὰρ εἰς ἀρχιερέα καὶ ἀπόστολον τῆς ὁμολογίας ἡμῶν, γενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ὁ Υἱὸς, ἵν' ἡμᾶς προσαγάγῃ τῷ 69.1040 Θεῷ καὶ Πατρὶ τὴν εἰς αὐτὸν πίστιν εὐωδιάζοντας. Χρίεται δὲ τῷ ἐλαίῳ τῆς ἀγαλλιάσεως, ἵνα τὴν διὰ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος ἐννοήσωμεν χάριν, πρὸς εὐθυ μίαν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀγαλλίασιν ἀναφέρουσαν διηνεκῆ. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ ἐπὶ Χριστῷ πεπράχθαι λέγεται, ἀλλ' οἰκονο μίας ἧν τὸ χρῆμα μεστόν. Ἔστι μὲν γὰρ ὁ Υἱὸς, τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος χορηγός· ἔνεστι γὰρ αὐτῷ φυσικῶς πάντα τοῦ Πατρός. ∆έχεται δὲ ἀνθρωπίνως μεθ' ἡμῶν τὸ Πνεῦμα καὶ αὐτὸς, ὅτε γέγονε καθ' ἡμᾶς, οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τι προστιθεὶς καθ' ὃ νοεῖται καὶ Θεὸς καὶ Λόγος, ἀλλ' ἐν ἑαυτῷ καὶ πρώτῳ τῇ τοῦ ἀνθρώ που φύσει προξενῶν τὸ τῆς ἀγαλλιάσεως Πνεῦμα. Ὅπου γὰρ θείας φύσεως μέθεξις, καὶ χάρις υἱοθε σίας, καὶ ζωῆς ὑπόσχεσις τῆς εἰς μακρὸν αἰῶνα καὶ οὐρανῶν βασιλείαν, ἐκεῖ που πάντως τὸ ἀγαλλιᾶσθαί ἐστιν. Πλὴν παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους αὐτοῦ κέχρισται Χρι στός· ἡμεῖς μὲν γὰρ τὸν ἀῤῥαβῶνα τοῦ Πνεύματος ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἐσχήκαμεν· ὡς δὲ ὁ Παῦλός φησι, πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος ἐν Χριστῷ νοεῖται σωματι κῶς. ∆ιὰ τοῦτο οὐδὲ ἐκ μέρους αὐτὸν διδόναι φασὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα οἱ ἅγιοι, ὁμολογοῦσι δὲ μᾶλλον ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ λαμβάνουσιν (A f. 250 b) Πότε δὲ ἐχρίσθη ὁ Χριστός; Ὅτε ὡς ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς τὸ Πνεῦμα ἦλθεν ἐπ' αὐτόν. Τότε καὶ τὸ καινὸν ὄνομα ἐδέξατο, κατὰ τὴν τοῦ προφήτου φωνήν. Ἔφη γὰρ ὅτι καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ τὸ καινὸν, ὃ Κύριος ὀνομάσει αὐτῷ. Πρὸ μὲν γὰρ τῆς ἐνανθρωπήσεως γυμνὸς ἔτι καὶ ἄσαρκος ὁ λόγος ὢν, θεοπρεπῶς ὠνομάζετο φῶς καὶ ζωὴ καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα. Μετὰ δὲ τὴν ἐνανθρώπησιν, ἧς τὴν οἰκονομίαν ἡ τοῦ κεχρίσθαι δύναμις εἰσφέρει, ὡς κεχρισμένος ἤδη παρὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸ καινὸν ὄνομα δέχεται, τουτέστι τὸ Χριστός. Αὐτὸς γὰρ ὢν ὁ τοῖς ἄλλοις ἁγιασμοῦ χορηγὸς ὡς Θεὸς, μεθ' ἡμῶν ἁγιάζεται κατὰ τὸ ἀν θρώπινον· περὶ ὃ καὶ ἡ χάρις, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς ὁ ἁγιασμὸς, τῆς οὐ κατὰ φύσιν ἁγίας, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐν μεθ έξει τῇ παρὰ Θεῷ. Τοὺς δὲ μαθητὰς ἀδελφοὺς ὠνό μασε, καὶ μετόχους ἑαυτοῦ κατεστήσατο. Ἁγιάζει γὰρ ὡς Θεὸς, τῷ ἰδίῳ καταχρίων Πνεύματι τοὺς ἐν μεθέξει γεγονότας αὐτοῦ διὰ πίστεως. Σμύρνα καὶ στακτὴ καὶ κασία ἀπὸ τῶν ἱματίων σου, ἀπὸ βάρεων ἐλεφαντίνων, ἐξ ὧν ηὔφρα νάν σε θυγατέρες βασιλέων ἐν τῇ τιμῇ σου. (E f. 83, I f. 239 b) Ἰμάτια Χριστοῦ νοητέον τοὺς ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ γεγονότας, καὶ οἱονεί πως ἐν χρῷ καὶ περὶ αὐτὸν, διά τε πίστεως καὶ ἁγιασμοῦ καὶ οἰκειό τητος τῆς πνευματικῆς. Βάρεις γε μὴν ἐλεφαντίνας, τὰς Ἐκκλησίας ἐν τούτοις φασί. Βάρις μὲν γὰρ καλεῖται πύργος ἅπας· πεπυργῶσθαι δέ φαμεν τὰς 69.1041 Ἐκκλησίας τῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ δυνάμει καὶ χάριτι· τεθε μελίωνται γὰρ ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν· Ἐλεφαντίνας δὲ, ἀντὶ τοῦ λαμπρὰς καὶ τιμίας καὶ περικαλλεστάτας· ἔνεστι γὰρ καὶ τοῦτο αὐταῖς, καθάπερ ἀμέλει καὶ τοῖς ἐξ ἐλέφαντος κατεσκευασμένοις τῶν σκευῶν. Αὗται δὲ αἱ ἐξ ἐλέφαντος βάρεις, καὶ βασιλέων εἰσὶ θυγατέρες. Πῶς ἢ τίνα τρόπον; Υἱοὶ γὰρ ὅντες τῆς βασιλείας οἱ θεσπέσιοι μαθηταὶ, ὀνομάζοιντο ἂν καὶ βασιλεῖς εἰκότως. Γεγόνασι δὲ καὶ πατέρες τῶν Ἐκ κλησιῶν· ἐγέννησαν γὰρ αὐτὰς διὰ τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου καὶ τῶν ἱερῶν