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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Basil of Caesarea
But holy is the name of God called, not because in its letters it contains any significant power, but because in whatever way we look at God we distinguish his purity and holiness.
Theophylact of Ohrid
She called Him "Mighty" so that everyone would believe Her words, considering that the Lord is mighty to do this. She called "His Name" "holy" to show that the Most Pure One, being conceived in the womb of a woman, is in no way defiled, but remains Holy.
Titus of Bostra
But where are the great things, if they be not that I still a virgin conceive (by the will of God) overcoming nature? I have been accounted worthy, without being joined to a husband, to be made a mother, not a mother of any one, but of the only-begotten Saviour. But she says, that is mighty, that if men should disbelieve the work of her conception, namely, that while yet a virgin, she conceived, she might throw back the miracles upon the power of the Worker. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
What great things hath He done unto thee? I believe that a creature thou gavest birth to the Creator, a servant thou broughtest forth the Lord, that through thee God redeemed the world, through thee He restored it to life.
Bede
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. This refers back to the beginning of the hymn, where it is said: My soul magnifies the Lord. For indeed, the soul to which the Lord deigns to do great things usually magnifies Him with fitting praises, and can exhort her companions of the same vow and purpose saying: Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together (Psalm 33). …
Bonaventure
The second reason for praising is the miracle of power, which was great and devout. Because it was great, she says: Because he who is mighty has done great things for me. This refers to the mystery of the incarnation, as Bede says in the Gloss; and concerning this, Job 5: "Who does great and unsearchable and wonderful things without number." The mystery of the incarnation is great and inscrutable, and therefore wondrous: and this he who is mighty has done, because "in miraculous things, as Augustine says, the entire reason for the …
Translation