“While Gregory (Thaumaturgus) was passing a sleepless night due to these worries, someone appeared to him in human form, aged in appearance, clothed in garments denoting a sacred dignity, with a face characterized by a sense of grace and virtue.  Gregory, looking frightened, rose from his bed and asked him who he was and why he had come.  The other, in a subdued voice, soothed Gregory’s distress and told him that he had appeared by Divine Will, due to the questions that Gregory found ambiguous and confusing, to reveal to Gregory the truth of pious faith.  After hearing these words, Gregory regained his serenity and observed the man with joy and wonder.  The other held up his hand, as if to point out with his index finger, something that had appeared opposite him.  Gregory, turning his gaze, saw another figure before him.  This figure was a woman, whose noble aspect far surpassed normal human beauty. Turning away, Gregory averted his glance, not bearing to look with his eyes.  The extraordinary vision, though it was a dark night, gave off a shining light as though a lamp had been kindled.  Although he could not bear to look upon the apparition, Gregory heard the speech of those who appeared.  From their words, Gregory obtained the exact understanding of the doctrine of faith as well as their names.  For he heard the woman exhorting John the Evangelist to explain to Gregory the mystery of the true faith.  John, in his turn, expressed his willingness to please the Mother of the Lord as this was the one thing closest to his heart.  When the discussion came to a close, the two disappeared from his sight.” –Life and Panegyric of Gregory the Wonderworker (213-270 A.D.). Written by St. Gregory of Nyssa in 380 A.D.

“Weeping is done outside the gate of the oratory, and the sinner standing there ought to implore the faithful, as they enter, to pray for him. Hearing is in the narthex inside the gate, where the sinner ought to stand while the catechumens are there, and afterward he should depart. For let him hear the Scriptures and the teachings…and then be cast out and not be reckoned as worthy of [the penitential] prayer. Submission allows one to stand within the gate of the temple, but he must go out with the catechumens. Assembly allows one to be associated with the faithful, without the necessity of going out with the catechumens. Last of all is participation in the consecrated elements.” -Canonical Letter, canon 11 (Written 256 A.D.)

“Let us chant the melody that has been taught us by the inspired harp of David, and say, ‘Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy sanctuary.’ For the Holy Virgin is in truth an ark, wrought with gold both within and without, that has received the whole treasury of the sanctuary.”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“But we, 0 my friends, resorting to the garden of the Saviour, let us praise the Holy Virgin;
saying along with the angels in the language of Divine grace,
‘Rejoice thou and be glad.’
For from her first shone forth the eternally radiant light, that lighteth us with its goodness…
And not only is it meet to marvel at the beauty of the Holy Mother of God, but also at the excellence of her spirit.”
-Homily on the
Holy Mother of God 12: 22
(Written 262 A.D.)

“Let us twine, as with a wreath, the souls with golden blossoms, fain to be crowned with wreaths from unfading gardens; and offering in our hands the fair-fruited flowers of Christ, let us gather them. For the golden temple of the Holy Virgin is meet to be glorified with such a crown.”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“Holy and wise was the all blessed Virgin; in all ways peerless among nations and unrivaled among women.
Not as the first virgin Eve,
who being alone in the garden, was led astray by the serpent and so took his advice and brought death into the world and thus has been the suffering of all saints.
But in her alone, this holy Virgin Mary, the Stem of Life hath shot up for us.
For she alone was spotless in soul and body.”
-Homily on the Annunciation (Written 262 A.D.)

“No more doth Eve fear the pangs of childbirth; for by the Holy Virgin her transgressions are blotted out and effaced;
forasmuch as in her was God born, to the end that He might make alive him whom He made in His image.”
-Homily on the Annunciation
(Written 262 A.D.)

“When I remember the disobedience of Eve, I weep.
But when I view the fruit of Mary, I am again renewed.
Thou didst take on flesh from Mary Virgin in order that Thou mightest renew afresh Adam fashioned by Thy holy hand.”
-Homily on the Annunciation (Written 262 A.D.)

“Where death came forth, there has life now prepared it’s entrance. By a woman came the flood of our ills, now by a woman, comes the spring of our blessings..
Hail thou that hast sunk in your womb the death that came of our first mother Eve!
Hail thou, bodily temple of God!
Hail thou, the equal home of heaven and earth alike!”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“Among all nations she alone was both virgin and mother and without knowledge of man, holy in body and soul.
Among all nations, she alone was made worthy to bring forth God; alone she carried in her, Him who carries all by His word.”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“A bulwark of imperishable life hath the
Holy Virgin become unto us…
with His handmaid, her that is unspotted, the Lord of glory halloweth all.”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“It is our duty to present to God, like sacrifices, all the festivals and hymnal celebrations; and first of all, the Feast of the Annunciation to the holy Mother of God, to whom the salutation was made to her by the angel ‘Hail, full of grace!’”
-Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary (Written 262 A.D.)

“Great is the mystery thou hast learned, O Mary, that which til now was hidden from the angels.
Thou hast known what deaf prophets and patriarchs heard not; and thou hast heard that which the choirs of the God-clad were not ever held worthy to hear.
David and Isaiah and all the prophets foretold in their preaching about the Lord’s becoming man.
But thou alone, O Holy Virgin, received the mystery unknown by them.”
-Homily on the Annunciation (Written 262 A.D.)

“The Holy Virgin herself is both an honorable
Temple of God and a shrine made pure, a golden altar of burnt offerings, by reason of her surpassing purity… She is the door which looks eastward (Ezekial 44) and by the comings and goings forth, the whole earth is illuminated…
She is the boast of virgins and the joy of mothers; the declaration of archangels, even as it was spoken:
‘Be thou glad and rejoice, the Lord is with thee!’”
– Homily on the Annunciation (Written in 262 A.D.)