today we commemorate theophany

[kassia]

with lines 386-412 of Proba's Cento virgilianus, written ~351

from http://home.infionline.net/~ddisse/proba.html

Cento virgilianus is made up of 694 lines of Virgil put together to form a biblical narrative: from the creation of the world to the ascension of Jesus into heaven after his resurrection from the dead. It is unoriginal in that, except for the opening, none of the words are Proba's own; it is original in the choices that she makes and the view of Christianity she shows. For many of her readers and hearers, the biblical story was unfamiliar; it was Virgil's words, especially those of the Aeneid, that were a basic part of the Roman educational system, memorized by children and recited by adults. Proba offers Christ as the new epic hero who can join (perhaps replace) those of classical literature.

tr. Jeremiah Reedy, edited by me, from A Lost Tradition : women writers of the early church ed. Patricia Wilson-Kastner, G. Ronald Kastner, Ann Millin, Rosemary Rader, and Jeremiah Reedy

Crowds of matrons marveled, "The Spirit is upon Him:
what a countenance He has! What a voice, and the gait, as he passes!"
At once a prophet, a most reliable witness,
when he espied a secluded spot far off by a cool stream cried,
"It is the Lord's time. Behold the Lord, to Him belongs the greatest faith
in world or word. You now shall be the Vicar,
O blessed Son, of Him whom the stars obey.
Thus indeed I wondered in my mind and contemplated the future;
You are come, O long awaited one, our hope and our comfort."
When he had uttered these words, the prophet
received Him into the waters of salvation and baptized Him with gentle waters:
The rivers rejoiced and suddenly a dove, inspired,
flew down and hesitated over His head; then she skims
the liquid air, moving not her swift wings.
Hither ran the whole crowd, rushing to the banks
vying with one another to pour the abundant waters over their shoulders.
Then the Father addressed His Son with loving words:
"My Son, you alone are my strength, my mighty power;
you are about to bring sweet glory to your Sire,
All things begin and end with you. Accept, I implore,
O my son, both oceans which the sun surveys
in its rounds. Once your task is completed,
in joy you shall behold all things revolving beneath your feet.
Rule your people with authority, both men and women.
Already you calm their pride and their hearts grown cold,
And with me you have compassion for lazy humans, those ignorant of the way.
Go forth and get used to being invoked with prayers."

also St. Lydia Alexandrova, along with her husband, mother and three daughters