BOOK I
36 ΑΓΑΘΙΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΑΣΤΙΚΟΥ
εἰς εἰκόνα Θεοδώρου Ἰλλουστρίου καὶ δὶς ἀνθυπάτου, ἐν ᾗ γέγραπται παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχαγγέλου δεχόμενος τὰς ἀξίας· ἐν Ἐφέσῳ
ταῦτα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ γέγραπται ἐν τῷ νάρθηκι τοῦ Θεολόγου
Ἵλαθι μορφωθείς, ἀρχάγγελε· σὴ γὰρ ὀπωπὴ ἄσκοπος, ἀλλὰ βροτῶν δῶρα πέλουσι τάδε. ἐκ σέο γὰρ Θεόδωρος ἔχει ζωστῆρα μαγίστρου καὶ δὶς ἀεθλεύει πρὸς θρόνον ἀνθυπάτων. 5τῆς δ᾽ εὐγνωμοσύνης μάρτυς γραφίς· ὑμετέρην γὰρ χρώμασι μιμηλὴν ἀντετύπωσε χάριν.
Lemma primum P alterum l37 Εἰς τὴν Χριστοῦ γέννησιν
Σάλπιγγες, στεροπαί, γαῖα τρέμει· ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ μήτρην παρθενικὴν κατέβης ἄψοφον ἴχνος ἔχων.
38 Εἰς τὸ αὐτό
Οὐρανὸς ἡ φάτνη, καὶ οὐρανοῦ ἔπλετο μείζων· οὐρανὸς ἐργασίη τοῦδε πέλει βρέφεος.
CHRISTIAN EPIGRAMS
36 agathias scholasticus
On an image dedicated by Theodorus the illustrious, twice proconsul, in which he is depicted receiving the insignia of office from the archangel;1 in Ephesus
This is painted on the narthex of the church of the Theologian2Forgive us, archangel, for giving you form, for your face is invisible: but this is the gift of mortals. For it is thanks to you that Theodorus has the master’s belt, and twice reached the proconsular throne. This picture testifies to his gratitude, for he faithfully depicted your grace toward him in colors.
37 On the birth of Christ
Trumpets! Lightnings! The earth trembles! But into the virgin womb you descended with noiseless tread.
38 On the same
The manger was heaven—and greater than heaven. For heaven is the work of this baby.1