The reign of life has begun, the tyranny of death is ended [by Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit]. A new birth has taken place, a new life has come, a new order of existence has appeared, our very nature has been transformed! This birth is not brought about “by human generation, by the will of humankind, or by the desire of the flesh, but by God.”

—Gregory of Nyssa, Oration on the Resurrection