Oration XXXIV. On the Arrival of the Egyptians.

 I.  I will address myself as is right to those who have come from Egypt for they have come here eagerly, having overcome illwill by zeal, from that E

 II.  For from you hath sounded forth the Word to all men healthfully believed and preached and you are the best bringers of fruit of all men, specia

 III.  Such was Joseph your Superintendent of corn measures, whom I may call ours also who by his surpassing wisdom was able both to foresee the famin

 IV.  Of these great men and doctors and soldiers of the truth and victors, you are the nurslings and offspring of these neither times nor tyrants, re

 V.  Once thou didst praise me thy Mendesian Goats, and thy Memphite Apis, a fatted and fleshy calf, and the rites of Isis, and the mutilations of Osir

 VI.  Wherefore I embrace and salute thee, O noblest of peoples and most Christian, and of warmest piety, and worthy of thy leaders for I can find not

 VII.  But, O people of God and mine, beautiful also was your yesterday’s assembly, which you held upon the sea, and pleasant, if any sight ever was, t

 VIII.  I find two highest differences in things that exist, viz.:—Rule, and Service not such as among us either tyranny has cut or poverty has severe

 IX.  This being so, if any be on the Lord’s side let him come with us, and let us adore the One Godhead in the Three not ascribing any name of humili

 X.  What must we say of the Father, Whom by common consent all who have been preoccupied with natural conceptions share, although He hath endured the

 XI.  For my part I revere also the Titles of the Word, which are so many, and so high and great, which even the demons respect.  And I revere also the

 XII.  I dare to utter something, O Trinity and may pardon be granted to my folly, for the risk is to my soul.  I too am an Image of God, of the Heave

 XIII.  To sum up my discourse:—Glorify Him with the Cherubim, who unite the Three Holies into One Lord, and so far indicate the Primal Substance as th

 XIV.  With Luke be inspired as you study the Acts of the Apostles.  Why do you range yourself with Ananias and Sapphira, those vain embezzlers (if ind

 XV.  Speak of God with Paul, who was caught up to the third Heaven, and who sometimes counts up the Three Persons, and that in varied order, not keepi

Oration XXXIV. On the Arrival of the Egyptians.

ThisOration was preached at Constantinople in 380, under the following circumstances:  Peter, Patriarch of Alexandria, had sent a mission of five of his Suffragans to consecrate the impostor Maximus to the Throne occupied by Gregory.  This had led to much trouble, but in the end the intruder had been expelled and banished.  Shortly afterwards an Egyptian fleet, probably the regular corn ships, had arrived at Constantinople, apparently on the day before a Festival.  The crews of the ships, landing next day to go to Church, passed by the numerous Churches held by the Arians, and betook themselves to the little Anastasia.  S. Gregory felt himself moved to congratulate them specially on such an act, after what had recently passed, and accordingly pronounced the following discourse.

ΛΟΓΟΣ ΛΔʹ.Εἰς τοὺς Αἰγύπτου ἐπιδημήσαντας.