The reign of life has begun, the tyranny of death is ended. 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.” On this day [of the resurrection] is created the true human, the one made in the image and likeness of God. For “this day the Lord has made” is the beginning of this new world. The day destroyed the pangs of death and brought to birth the firstborn of the dead.

—Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, Oration 1 on the Resurrection