FRAGMENT IN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
A "Two men stood by them in shining apparel" (Luke XXIV, 4). They present to our view signs of joy and gladness, and tokens of the Savior’s resurrection through the whiteness of their garments, so that the women might also infer from their appearance the brightness of the resurrection, and begin the Paschal feast together with the white-robed angels. For Moses, who was about to be the minister of the Egyptian plagues, beheld the angel in flaming fire bush (Exod. III, 2). The same [prophet], when writing the law for wicked men, called God a consuming fire, signifying that He would be their punisher and avenger (Deut. IV, 24). For this reason, God went before them in a pillar of fire. Thus, He taught that for the impious, angels would be as a flame of fire, saying: "Who makes his ministers a flame of fire" (Ps. CIII, 4). But the women did not see angels of this sort inside the tomb, but rather calm and radiant ones, as it was fitting they should appear in the joy and kingdom of the Lord. At the Savior’s death, the sun was eclipsed, spreading darkness everywhere, showing symbols of lamentation and mourning to those who were crucifying the Son of God. At that time, it seems no angel appeared to the disciples, who were themselves scattered here and there. But if it had been necessary for one to appear, I think they would have presented a garment contrary to that of the white-robed ones. For at the time of the passion, not only did the sun darken, but the Savior, crying out with a loud voice, gave up His spirit; the veil of the temple was rent in two, as if the angels who had for ages inhabited the sacred place had themselves rent asunder their own venerable veil—so that the place of inaccessible mysteries, left bare and destitute of their guard, might lie open to the warring enemies. But these things took place at the time of the passion. Nevertheless, when the Savior rose again, as messengers of life and heralds of the resurrection, they stood around the place where the body had lain, having participated, by the very touch of the place, in a holiness greater than their own, and partaking in His resurrection. Therefore, they wore joyful and smiling countenances, and a white garment suitable for the feast of the Savior.
FRAGMENT OF EUSEBIUS FROM THE MILAN CODEX, IN WHICH IS THE CHAIN OF GREEK FATHERS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS (Mai, ibid., p. 207)
Ad cap. XII, 18. EUSEBIUS. D It is said that a divine descent occurred upon the mountain at the time the law was given, that all might see the power of God; for this descent is clearly divine, not local. For among the things growing on the mountain that were burning fiercely, nothing was consumed by the fire; and the sounds of trumpets were heard more forcefully, although no such instruments were present, nor was anyone crying out, but all these things were taking place by divine ordinance. Thus it is evident from these facts that the descent was divine, and that God displayed His own greatness in all things without any [external] aid.