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Epistles of Ignatius

Chapter XIX.--Three celebrated mysteries.

Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, ¹ which were wrought in silence by ² God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? ³ A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death.

Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, ⁴ which were wrought in silence, but have been revealed to us. A star shone forth in heaven above all that were before it, and its light was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star. It far exceeded them all in brightness, and agitation was felt as to whence this new spectacle [proceeded]. Hence worldly wisdom became folly; conjuration was seen to be mere trifling; and magic became utterly ridiculous. Every law ⁵ of wickedness vanished away; the darkness of ignorance was dispersed; and tyrannical authority was destroyed, God being manifested as a man, and man displaying power as God. But neither was the former a mere imagination, ⁶ nor did the second imply a bare humanity; ⁷ but the one was absolutely true, ⁸ and the other an economical arrangement. ⁹ Now that received a beginning which was perfected by God. ¹⁰ Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death.

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Die sieben Briefe des Ignatius von Antiochien (BKV)

19. Kap. Wie die Geheimnisse der Jungfrauschaft Marias, die Geburt und der Tod Christi dem Teufel verborgen blieben und wie sie den Zeiten geoffenbart wurden.

1. Und es blieb dem Fürsten dieser Welt verborgen die Jungfrauschaft Marias und ihr Gebären, ebenso auch der Tod des Herrn; drei laut rufende Geheimnisse, die in der Stille Gottes vollbracht wurden. 2. Wie wurden sie nun den Zeiten kund? Ein Stern strahlte auf am Himmel, heller als alle Sterne, und sein Licht war unbeschreiblich, und seine Neuheit rief Staunen hervor; alle übrigen Sterne aber samt Sonne und Mond führten S. 125 einen Reigen auf vor diesem Sterne, und sein Licht überstrahlte alle; und es herrschte Bestürzung darüber, woher diese unter ihnen neue Erscheinung sei. 3. Infolgedessen löste jegliche Zauberei sich auf, und jede Fessel der Bosheit ward vernichtet; die Unwissenheit ward weggenommen, das alte Reich ward zerstört, da Gott in Menschengestalt sich offenbarte zur Neuschaffung¹ ewigen Lebens; da nahm seinen Anfang, was bei Gott zubereitet war. Deshalb kam alles in Bewegung, weil die Vernichtung des Todes betrieben wurde.