On the Annunciation

In annuntiationem

Gregory Thaumaturgus · c. 240–270 AD · Vossius 1684 Opera omnia Latin column (In annuntiationem Sermo I)

Gregory Thaumaturgus ("the Wonderworker," c. 213–c. 270) was Origen's most famous pupil and the apostle of Pontus. Much else was later published under his name.

The Homilies on the Annunciation celebrate Gabriel's visit to Mary — David's oracle, the angel's greeting, and Mary's reply. They are transmitted under Gregory's name, though scholars generally count them the work of a later hand.

This volume holds the opening of the First Discourse: the joy of the day, through Gabriel's reply.

© 2026 SaneApps. This translation is free to share and adapt, even commercially, as long as you credit SaneApps. Draft translation, prepared with AI assistance and not yet independently reviewed. Verify against the original before citing. Translated from Vossius 1684 Opera omnia Latin column (In annuntiationem Sermo I); opening through Gabriel reply; Greek column OCR damaged.

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1Sermo I opening: today's joy, David's oracle, and Gabriel's hail

Author

Gregory Thaumaturgus (c. 213–c. 270 AD) — Gregory the Wonderworker, a student of Origen at Caesarea who became bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus. His farewell address to Origen gives a rare picture of how Origen taught.

All works by Gregory Thaumaturgus

About this text

Gregory Thaumaturgus, On the Annunciation: the opening of the first sermon. Three sermons survive; this volume covers the opening only.

Catalogue & scope

densify opening through Gabriel reply; Greek column OCR damaged

Witnesses

Copy-text Vossius 1684 Opera omnia (Latin column (Greek damaged))
Checked print Archive DjVu OCR (Latin/Greek mixed OCR)
Copy-text Locked Latin tip opening (Latin)

Where the prints differ

Sermo I opening — Long-s and column joins expanded from the Latin face; Greek face left aside as damaged OCR.

This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.

Sermo I opening: today's joy, David's oracle, and Gabriel's hail§1

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1He makes plain to us the mystery that was hidden from eternity. Today crowns of lasting virtue are woven. Today God, wanting to crown the heads of the kind and devout and of those who carefully keep feast days, names the lovers of firm faith as called ones and heirs; and with eagerness He calls those who set their mind on heavenly things into the upper kingdom, so that they may join themselves to the divine ministry of the bodiless choirs.

Today David's oracle is fulfilled, which says: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult. The fields will be glad, and all the trees of the wood, at the sight of the Lord, for He comes (Psalm 96:11-13). David indeed says trees; but the Forerunner of the Lord names trees that bear fruit worthy of repentance — rather, worthy of the Lord's coming. And our Lord Jesus Christ announces lasting joy to all who believe in Him. For He says: I will see you, and you will rejoice; and your joy no one will take from you (John 16:22).

Today the famous and unspeakable joy of Christians, who have set their hope on Christ, is announced. Today Gabriel, who stands before God, coming to the most chaste Virgin, announces to her that word: Hail, full of grace (Luke 1:28). And while she was thinking within herself what sort of greeting that might be, the Angel at once added, saying: The Lord is with you. Do not fear, Mary; for you have found favor with God. Therefore you will conceive in the womb and bear a son; and they will call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will reign in the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:30-33).

But Mary said to the Angel: How will this be done to me, since I do not know a man? (Luke 1:34). While the most holy Virgin was turning this over in her mind as if in wonder, the Angel briefly brings the speech to its close and says: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And therefore the holy one who will be born of you will also be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). For what He is, that He will entirely be called. Fittingly, then, he marks out holy Mary alone from among all generations.

Latin · §1

Mysteriumque quod ab aeterno occultatum fuit, palam nobis facit. Hodie perennis virtutis texuntur coronae. Hodie facta benevolorum et religiosorum, diesque festos studiose colentium capita coronare volens Deus, firmae fidei amatores tanquam vocatos et heredes appellat; supernumque regnum cum studio eos qui caelestia sapiunt, ut se divino incorporeorum chororum ministerio coniungant, vocat. Hodie Davidicum adimpletum est oraculum, quod dicit: Laetentur caeli, et exultet terra. Gaudebunt campi, et omnia ligna silvae a conspectu Domini, quoniam venit. Et David quidem ligna dicit; Praecursor vero Domini arbores facientes fructus dignos paenitentia, immo Domini adventu, nuncupat. Ac Dominus noster Iesus Christus perenne gaudium cunctis in ipsum credentibus adnuntiat. Ait enim: Videbo vos, et gaudebitis; et gaudium vestrum nemo tollet a vobis. Hodie celebre atque ineffabile Christianorum gaudium, qui suam in Christum spem posuerunt, adnuntiatur. Hodie Gabriel, qui Deo assistit, ad castissimam Virginem veniens, illud Ave gratia plena ipsi adnuntiat. Ipsa vero secum cogitante qualis esset illa salutatio, Angelus confestim subiunxit, dicens: Dominus tecum. Ne timeas, Maria; invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum. Ideo concipies in utero et paries filium; et vocabunt nomen eius Iesum. Hic erit magnus, et Filius Altissimi vocabitur. Et dabit ipsi Dominus sedem David patris eius, et regnabit in domo Iacob in aeternum; et regni eius non erit finis. Dixit autem Maria ad Angelum: Quomodo istud fiet mihi, quoniam virum non cognosco? Quae, dum velut admirabunda secum animo sanctissima Virgo versaret, breviter Angelus sermonis finem profert, ac dicit: Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei. Nam quod est, hoc et omnino vocabitur. Convenienter igitur sanctam Mariam ex omnibus generationibus solam.

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