Gregory of Nyssa

What is the stone … but Christ? For of him Isaiah says, “And I am laying in Zion for a foundation, a costly stone, precious, elect”; and Daniel likewise, “A stone was cut out but not by hand,” that is, Christ was born without a man.

If this all seems little in your eyes, to be crucified with Christ, to present yourself a sacrifice to God, to become a priest to the most high God, to make yourself worthy of the vision of the Almighty, what higher blessings than these can we imagine for you, if indeed you make light of the consequences of these as well? And the consequence of being crucified with Christ is that we shall live with him, and be glorified with him and reign with him; and the consequence of presenting ourselves to God is that we shall be changed from the rank of human nature and human dignity to that of angels; for so speaks Daniel, that “thousand thousands stood before him.” He too who has taken his share in the true priesthood and placed himself beside the great high priest remains altogether himself a priest forever, prevented for eternity from remaining any more in death.