Epistles

Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch. The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1. Lake, Kirsopp, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1912.

For our God, Jesus the Christ,

was conceived by Mary by the dispensation of God, as well of the seed of David as of the Holy Spirit: he was born, and was baptized, that by himself submitting[*](Or perhaps by his suffering; but the allusion seems to be to the Baptism, not to the Passion.) he might purify the water.

And the virginity of Mary, and her giving birth[*](The mystery of the Nativity and its manifestation) were hidden from the Prince of this world, as was also the death of che Lord. Three mysteries of a cry which were wrought in the stillness of God.