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Monday, September 6, 2021

Melito of Sardis -- translation of Fragment 14 -- Alistair Stewart "ON PASCHA" chapter 17 Fragments

 "Of the same, from his speech concerning the cross:

        On account of these matters he came to us,

        on account of these matters he, who was disembodied, formed himself a body of our substance.

He appeared as a sheep while remaining a shepherd,

he was thought to be a slave, while not denying his sonship,

he was born of Mary, while wearing the garment of his Father,

walking on earth whilst filling the heavens,

appearing as a child, whilst not constraining the simplicity of his divinity.

Believed to be poor, but not deprived of his wealth,

requiring nourishment, insofar as he was a needy human,

not ceasing to nourish the world, as he was God,

Putting on the likeness of a slave while not altering his likeness to the Father.

In his unchangeable nature he was all things.

He stood before Pilate and is seated with the Father,

he was nailed on the tree and comprehended all things."

Add Fragments 16B and 17 (p. 99) transl. Alistair Stewart for 2016 updated edition:

"For who knows the mind of the Lord, or who was his counsellor? 

except the Word, who was enfleshed in the virgin, and buried in earth,

and raised from the dead, who was exalted to the heavens and glorified in the Father."


You saints sing hymns to the father,

you maidens sing to the mother.

We hymn them, we saints lift them high.

You have been exalted to be brides and bridegrooms, 

for you have found your bridegroom Christ.

Drink for wine, brides and bridegrooms. . . .


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