Luke 2:37 Douay-Rheims

And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.

Origen

c. A.D. 184–253 Patristic

For the Holy Spirit dwelt not by chance in her. For the highest blessing, if any can possess it, is the grace of virginity, but if this cannot be, and it chance to a woman to lose her husband, let her remain a widow, which indeed not only after the death of her husband, but even while he is living, she ought to have in her mind, that supposing it should not happen, her will and determination might be crowned by the Lord, and her words should be, “This I vow, and promise, that if a certain condition of this life be mine, (which yet I wish not,) I will do nothing else but remain inviolate and a widow.” Most justly then was this holy woman thought worthy to receive the gift of prophecy, because by long chastity and long fastings she had ascended to this height of virtue, as it follows, Who departed not from the temple with fastings and prayers, &c.

Source details
A.D. 253 · as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Luke 2:36-38

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

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