Cosmas of Maiuma
Late Patristic · AD 500–800 · 2 passages across 1 books
Commentary
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Father begot me, creative Wisdom, before the ages;
He established me as the beginning of his ways
For the works now mystically accomplished
For though I am the uncreated Word by nature,
I make my own the voice
Of the nature I have now assumed.
As I am a man
In reality, not a mirage,
So divinized is the nature which,
By the manner of the exchange,
Is united to me.
Wherefore know that I am one Christ
Who saves that of which and in which I am.
He established me as the beginning of his ways
For the works now mystically accomplished
For though I am the uncreated Word by nature,
I make my own the voice
Of the nature I have now assumed.
As I am a man
In reality, not a mirage,
So divinized is the nature which,
By the manner of the exchange,
Is united to me.
Wherefore know that I am one Christ
Who saves that of which and in which I am.
John 13:18
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
The hateful Iscariot, heedless,
By intent, of the law of friendship,
Readied for betrayal the feet
Which Christ had washed. And though he ate
Your bread, the divine Body,
He raised his heel against you, O Christ,
And knew not how to cry out:
“Praise the Lord, O his works,
and exalt him unto all ages.”
The man without conscience received
The Body which redeems from sin
And the divine blood poured out
For the sake of the world;
But he was not ashamed to drink
What he sold for a price;
He took no offense at his wickedness,
And knew not how to cry out:
“Praise the Lord, O his works,
and exalt him unto all ages.”
By intent, of the law of friendship,
Readied for betrayal the feet
Which Christ had washed. And though he ate
Your bread, the divine Body,
He raised his heel against you, O Christ,
And knew not how to cry out:
“Praise the Lord, O his works,
and exalt him unto all ages.”
The man without conscience received
The Body which redeems from sin
And the divine blood poured out
For the sake of the world;
But he was not ashamed to drink
What he sold for a price;
He took no offense at his wickedness,
And knew not how to cry out:
“Praise the Lord, O his works,
and exalt him unto all ages.”