On the Annunciation (Homily I) · §3 · Gregory Thaumaturgus

The Virgin asks where the gift comes from

Nor did the most holy Virgin accept the gift before she had learned who was sending it, what the gift was, and who was bringing it. Speaking with herself as one in two minds, she said to the Angel: From where have you brought us such a blessing? From what treasuries has the pearl of the word been sent out to us? From where has the gift made ready its substance for us? You have come from heaven, yet you walk on earth; you show a human form, yet you shine with the brightness of light.

Latin

Neque prius sanctissima Virgo donum admisit, quam, quis illud mitteret, et quodnam donum esset, ac quis ferret, addidicisset. Quae, dum secum, velut anceps loqueretur, ait ad Angelum: Unde sic nobis benedictionem apportasti? Ex cuiusmodi thesauris, verbi margarita nobis emissa est? Unde nobis donum materiam paravit? Ex caelo advenisti, at in terra incedis: humanam formam exhibes, et lucis fulgore resplendes.

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About this text

Gregory Thaumaturgus, On the Annunciation: the first sermon, in a fresh English translation. Three sermons survive; this volume covers the first only.

Gregory Thaumaturgus (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 whole First Discourse, from the joy of the day through Gabriel's message and Mary's reply. The second and third discourses are not translated here.

Part only: Homily I

Fresh English translation of the whole first sermon from the Latin column of the Opera omnia print (Paris, 1622) (printed pp.

Printed text used

Translated from Opera omnia, Greek and Latin (Paris: Sonnius, Morel and Cramoisy, 1622), page images (Latin column (Greek damaged))
Also checked Archive DjVu machine-read text (Latin/Greek mixed machine-read text)
Translated from Latin opening (Latin)

Where the prints differ

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

We have not yet re-checked this work against its source. We made this study translation with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open Latin on any section, or the Latin source link, to see the source text. It is not a critical edition.

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