Now the virginity of Mary was hid- den from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord ; three mysteries of re- nown,s which were wrought in silence by'' God. How, then, was He mani- fested to the world }^ A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of which was inex- pressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared ; ig- norance was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself be- . ing manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, be- cause He meditated the abolition of death.