John of Damascus
St Ambrose of Milan, to the Emperor Gratian concerning the Incarnation of God the Word.
On Holy Images — translated by Mary H. Allies
Public domainServed
¶1
God before flesh was made, and God in the flesh. There is a fear lest, abstracting the double principle of action and wisdom from Christ, we should glorify a mutilated Christ. Now, is it possible to divide Christ whilst we adore His Godhead and His flesh? Do we divide Him when we adore at once the image of God and the Cross? God forbid.
Translated by Mary H. Allies. Edition opa.patristics.john-of-damascus.on-holy-images.en.