ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.By St. Gregory of Neocaesarea

ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY

By St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, known as Thaumaturgus  O Thaumatourgos, The Miracle-Worker) (+275).

Today the choir of angels sings strains of praise joyfully, and the light of the advent of Christ shines brightly upon the faithful. Today is the glad springtime to us, and Christ the Sun of righteousness has beamed with clear light around us, and has illumined the minds of the faithful. Today Adam is made anew, and moves in the choir of angels, having winged his way to heaven. Today the whole circle of the earth is filled with joy, since the sojourn of the Holy Spirit has been realized to men. Today the grace of God and the hope of the unseen shine through all wonders transcending imagination, and make the mystery that was kept hidden from eternity plainly discernible to us. Today are woven the chaplets of never-fading virtue. Today, God, willing to crown the sacred heads of those whose pleasure is to hearken to Him, and who delight in His festivals, invites the lovers of unswerving faith as His called and His heirs; and the heavenly kingdom is urgent to summon those who mind celestial things to join the divine service of the incorporeal choirs. Today is fulfilled the word of David, Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad.

The fields shall be joyful, and all the trees of the wood before the Lord, because He comes. David thus made mention of the trees; and the Lord’s Forerunner also spoke of them as trees that should bring forth fruits meet for repentance, or rather for the coming of the Lord. However, our Lord Jesus Christ promises perpetual gladness to all those who believe in Him. For He says, I will see you, and you shall rejoice; and your joy no man takes from you.