A Word about the incarnation of God the Word, and about His coming to us in the flesh (Translation TSO, 1902)

The essay “A Sermon on the Incarnation of God the Word, and His Coming to Us in the Flesh” (57 chapters) was written by St. Athanasius the Great c. 318 This is the most important work for Eastern Christian anthropology and soteriology, since it reveals the meaning of the Incarnation. St. Athanasius says that the incarnation was necessary, possible and worthy of God. The first part (chap. 1-32) provides an explanation of the reason why He, who by His nature is incorporeal and is the Divine Word, by the mercy and goodness of the Father, for the sake of our salvation, appeared in human flesh. In the second part (chap. 33-57) the author proceeds to refuting the objections of Jews and pagans. He denounces the unbelief of the Jews with Old Testament prophecies, especially carefully explaining Daniel's prophecy about the seventy weeks (chap. 33-40). St. Athanasius proves that the various objections of the pagans, in which they ridicule the mystery of the incarnation of the Divine Logos, are unfounded and explains that the Word of God appeared in human flesh (chap. 41-45). Then, on the basis of the spread and action of Christianity, in which not human, but truly Divine power is revealed, he proves the Divine dignity of the Savior and the Divine origin of the Christian religion (chap. 46-55). In conclusion, St. Athanasius exhorts the reader to read the Scriptures for himself and lead a life similar to the lives of those who wrote the sacred books. This publication presents a pre-revolutionary translation of the Works of the Holy Fathers, made by the Moscow Theological Academy (1902). This translation differs from others in accuracy and clarity. *The title of the work in Greek is Λόγος περὶ τῆς ἐνανθρωπήσεως τοῦ Λόγου. *The title of the work in Latin is Oratio de incarnatione Verbi.