Ambrose of Milan : And we can also understand the same about this: "This month shall be to you the beginning of months"; although it is understood as the 7th in terms of time, because it spoke of the Lord's Passover, which is celebrated at the beginning of spring. Therefore, in this beginning of months, He made the heavens and the earth, which was fitting for the beginning of the world, where a suitable spring season was for everyone. — The Six Days of Creation 1.4.13 Martin of Braga : Consequently our elders decided that one full month must be observed for the birthday of the world and that Easter should be observed in whatever part of it both the day and the moon coincided. This is not without scriptural authority, for Moses said, "This month shall stand at the head of your calendar, the first month of the year." With these words he consecrated a whole month for the day of the world's birth. Thus our elders, who had found that March 22 was the birthday of the world, defined April 21 as a limit in determining the first month. So it will be permitted to celebrate Easter neither before March 22 nor after April 21. But when during this month both the moon and the day coincide, that is, the fourteenth day of the moon and Sunday, then Easter is to be celebrated. Now again, since the fourteenth day of the moon frequently does not fall on Sunday, they preferred to have the moon extended for seven days, provided they observed Sunday in the joy of the resurrection. So when the day falls thus, we always postpone Easter as far as the twenty-first day of the moon for the sake of Sunday, so that Easter is celebrated neither before March 22 nor after April 21. In this way it is found that the month and the day and the moon are retained in the observance of Easter. — ON THE PASCHA 7 Origen of Alexandria : In Matthew it is not written: "he was beginning"; but here, because he was about to ascend from baptism, "he was beginning" is read, Scripture relating: "and this same Jesus was beginning". For when he was baptized and took up the mystery of the second birth, so that you too might destroy your former nativity and be born in the second regeneration, then he is said "to have begun". And just as the people of the Jews, when they were in Egypt, did not have a beginning of months, but when they had gone out of Egypt, then it is said to them: "this month, the beginning of months, shall be the first for you among the months of the year", so he who is not yet baptized is not narrated "to have begun". For let us not suppose that it was added in vain to that which is said, "this same was Jesus", what follows: "beginning". — HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Luke 28 Pseudo-Macarius : After having inflicted the Egyptians with many plagues, he led them out of Egypt in the month of flowers, when the most pleasant spring appears and the sadness of winter passes away. — HOMILY 47.3 Pseudo-Macarius : This, I say, is the first month of the year. This brings joy to every creature. It clothes the naked trees. It opens the earth. This produces joy in all animals. It brings mirth to all. This is for Christians Xanthicus, the first month, the time of the resurrection in which their bodies will be glorified by means of the light which even now is in them hidden. This is the power of the Spirit who will then be their clothing, food, drink, exultation, gladness, peace, adornment and eternal life. — HOMILY 5.9