Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian On Easter II (Oration XLV), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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21 Pages

Page 15

XXI. If you are a Rachel or a Leah, a patriarchal and great soul, steal whatever idols of your father you can find; [4644] not, however, that you may keep them, but that you may destroy them; and if you are a wise Israelite remove them to the Land of the Promise, and let the persecutor grieve over the loss of them, and learn through being outwitted that it was vain for him to tyrannize over and keep in bondage better men than himself. If thou doest this, and comest out of Egypt thus, I know well that thou shalt be guided by the pillar of fire and cloud by night and day. [4645] The wilderness shall be tamed for thee, and the Sea divided; [4646] Pharaoh shall be drowned; [4647] bread shall be rained down: [4648] the rock shall become a fountain; [4649] Amalek shall be conquered, not with arms alone, but with the hostile hand of the righteous forming both prayers and the invincible trophy of the Cross; [4650] the River shall be cut off; the sun shall stand still; and the moon be restrained; [4651] walls shall be overthrown even without engines; [4652] swarms of hornets shall go before thee to make a way for Israel, and to hold the Gentiles in check; [4653] and all the other events which are told in the history after these and with these (not to make a long story) shall be given thee of God. Such is the feast thou art keeping to-day; and in this manner I would have thee celebrate both the Birthday and the Burial of Him Who was born for thee and suffered for thee. Such is the Mystery of the Passover; such are the mysteries sketched by the Law and fulfilled by Christ, the Abolisher of the letter, the Perfecter of the Spirit, who by His Passion taught us how to suffer, and by His glorification grants us to be glorified with Him.

[4644] Gen. xxxi. 19.

[4645] Exod. xiii. 20.

[4646] Ib. xiv. 21.

[4647] Exod. xiv. 28.

[4648] Ib. xvi. 15.

[4649] Ib. xvii. 6.

[4650] Ib. xvii. 10, 11.

[4651] Josh. iii. 15, 16.

[4652] Ib. x. 13.

[4653] Ib. vi. 20.

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