On the Annunciation (Homily I) · §5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus

Mysteries hidden from prophets and angels made known to her

You know, Mary, what was hidden from the patriarchs and prophets. You have learned, O Virgin, what until now was hidden even from the angels. You have heard, most holy one, what the choir of those inspired by the divine Spirit was never found worthy to hear. Moses and David, Isaiah and Daniel, and all the prophets foretold Him, but they did not know the manner or the reason. But you alone, most holy Virgin, now receive the mysteries that were unknown to all of them, and you understand their cause. For where the Holy Spirit is, all things are brought to completion readily and without delay. Where divine grace is present, all things are possible with God (Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26).

Latin

Nosti o Maria, quae Patriarchas et prophetas latebant. Didicisti, o Virgo, quae adhuc Angelis etiam fuerunt abscondita. Audisti, o sanctissima, quae nunquam, divino spiritu afflatorum chorus audire meruit. Moyses et David, Esaias ac Daniel, cunctique prophetae de ipso praedicaverunt: sed modum rationemve ignorarunt. Tu vero sola, o sanctissima Virgo, quae his omnibus ignota fuerunt mysteria, nunc suscipis, causamque intelligis. Nam ubi Spiritus Sanctus, cuncta prompte atque incunctanter perficiuntur. Ubi divina adest gratia, omnia Deo sunt possibilia.

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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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