On the Birth of the Word of God

The extant homily known as the Sermon on the Birth of the Word of God attributed to Demetrius of Antioch is a rare and little-studied patristic text that offers a compelling witness to early Christian theology on the Incarnation, Logos Christology, and Marian devotion within the Syrian tradition. Though few biographical details are known about Demetrius, he is generally considered to have served as bishop of Antioch during the late 3rd or early 4th century, a transitional period in the development of orthodox doctrine amidst both internal Christological debates and external pressures from imperial persecution. His sermon reflects both theological sophistication and rhetorical richness, indicating the level of catechetical and liturgical development in Antioch prior to the Council of Nicaea (325).