[Jesus] became man by the Virgin so that the course that was taken by disobedience in the beginning through the agency of the serpent might also be the course by which it would be put down. Eve, a virgin and undefiled, conceived the word of the serpent and bore disobedience and death. But the Virgin Mary received faith and joy when the angel Gabriel announced to her the glad tidings that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon her and the power of the most high would overshadow her, for which reason the holy one being born of her is the Son of God. And she replied, “Be it done unto me according to your word” [Lk 1:38]. – Dialogue with Trypho, 100 (155 A.D.)
Lent Should Bring Spiritual Renewal |St. John Chrysostom
"The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all...
