Quoting The Fathers

I came across these quotes today while reading Learning Theology with the Church Fathers by Christopher A. Hall. It's a great resource for anyone interested in reading the Fathers.

Cyril of Alexandria:

Indeed, the mystery of Christ runs the risk of being disbelieved precisely because it is so incredibly wonderful. For God was in humanity.

He who was above all creation was in our human condition;
The invisible one was made visible in the flesh;
He who is from the heavens and from on high was in the likeness of earthly things;
The immaterial one could be touched;
He who is free in His own nature came in the form of a slave;
He who blesses all creation became accursed;
He who is all righteousness was numbered among transgressors;
Life itself came in the appearance of death.

All this followed because the body which tasted death belonged to no other but to him who is the Son by nature.

Basil the Great:

One cannot see the Father without the Spirit! It would be like living in a house at night when the lamps are extinguished; one's eyes would be darkened and could not exercise their function. Unable to distinguish the value of objects, one might very well treat gold as if it were iron. It is the same with the spiritual world; it is impossible to maintain a life of holiness without the Spirit. It would be easier for an army to continue its maneuvers without a general, or for a choir to sing on key without its director.

Irenaus:(I want to talk about this one...give me some feedback)

It is said, "In the church, God has set apostles, prophets, teachers," and all the other means through which the Spirit works. Those who do not join themselves to the church are not partakers of these things. Rather, they defraud themselves of life through their perverse opinions and infamous behavior. For where the church is, there is the Spirit of God. And where the Spirit of God is, there is the church, and every kind of grace.