Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus — Messages From the Church Fathers

Translation of the Gospel According to Luke (2:21)

At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised; His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.

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Messages From The Church Fathers (Catena Aurea, Vol III, Luke 2:21)

AMBROSE. Who is this Child, but He of whom it was said, Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given? (Isa 9:6, Gal. 4:5.) For He was made under the Law, that He might redeem them who were under the Law.

EPIPHANIUS. (lib. i. Hær. 30.) Christ was circumcised for several reasons. First indeed to shew the reality of His flesh, in opposition to Manichæus f and those who say that He came forth in appearance only. Secondly, that He might prove that His body was not of the same substance with the Deity, according to Apollinaris, and that it descended not from heaven, as Valentinian said. Thirdly, to add a confirmation to circumcision which He had of old instituted to wait His coming. Lastly, to leave no excuse to the Jews. For had He not been circumcised, they might have objected that they could not receive Christ uncircumcised.

BEDE. He was circumcised also that He might enjoin upon us by His example the virtue of obedience, and might take compassion on them who being placed under the Law, were unable to bear the burdens of the Law, to the end that He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh might not reject the remedy with which sinful flesh was wont to be healed. For circumcision brought in the Law the same assistance of a saving cure to the wound of original sin which Baptism does in the time of the grace of revelation, except that as yet the circumcised could not enter the gates of the heavenly kingdom, but comforted after death with a blessed rest in Abraham’s bosom, they waited with a joyful hope for their entrance into eternal peace.

ATHANASIUS. (De Sabbato et Circumcisione.) For circumcision expressed nothing else, but the stripping off of the old birth, seeing that part was circumcised which caused the birth of the body. And thus it was done at that time as a sign of the future baptism through Christ. Therefore as soon as that of which it was a sign came, the figure ceased. For since the whole of the old man Adam is taken away by baptism, there remains nothing which the cutting of a part prefigures.

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA. But according to the command of the law, on the same day He received the imposition of a name, as it follows, His name was called Jesus, which is interpreted Saviour. For He was brought forth for the salvation of the whole world, which by His circumcision He prefigured, as the Apostle says to the Colossians, Ye are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the stripping off of the body of the flesh, to wit, the circumcision of Christ. (Col 2:11.)

BEDE. Of this name the elect also in their spiritual circumcision rejoice to be partakers, that as from Christ they are called Christians, so also from the Saviour they may be called saved, which title was given them of God not only before they were conceived through faith in the womb of the Church, but even before the world began.