On the Annunciation (Homily I) · §10 · Gregory Thaumaturgus

Hail, full of grace: fountain, flower, meadow, vine, field

Hail, full of grace, fountain of light that enlightens all who believe in Him. Hail, full of grace, dawning of the spiritual Sun, and spotless flower of life. Hail, full of grace, most fragrant meadow. Hail, full of grace, ever-flourishing vine, who gladden the souls of those who glorify you. Hail, full of grace, field that bears the fairest fruits without being ploughed.

Your bearing was according to nature, in that you brought forth in our manner, keeping the time of the child's stirring and of carrying; but beyond nature, or rather above nature, because the divine Word came from on high and in your holy womb formed Adam anew. The Holy Spirit gave the holy Virgin her fruitfulness; but the true body was taken from her body.

Latin

Ave gratia plena, fons lucis, qui cunctos in ipsum credentes illuminat. Ave gratia plena, intelligibilis solis oriens, et flos vitae immaculatus. Ave gratia plena, pratum fragrantissimum. Ave gratia plena, vitis semper vigens; quae animas glorificantium te laetificas. Ave gratia plena, ager qui non exaratus fructus profert pulcherrimos: Secundum naturam quidem, eo quod more nostro, et tempore motus, gestationisque servato protulisti: at praeter naturam, aut potius supra naturam; quia superne divinum Verbum advenit, et in sancto tuo utero Adamum reformavit. Ac fecunditatem quidem, Spiritus Sanctus sanctae virgini praebuit: verum autem corpus ex eius corpore assumptum est.

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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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