But manifold in name is the dispensation of Christ:
Lord, because spirit;
Word, because God;
Son, because only-begotten from the Father;
Man, because born from a virgin;
Priest, because He offers himself as total sacrifice (holocaustum);
Shepherd, because guardian;
Worm, because He rose;
Mountain, because strong;
Way, because right (rectus);
Harbor, because through Him is the entry into life;
Lamb, because He has suffered;
Stone, because cornerstone (structio angularis);
Teacher, because demonstrator (ostensor) of life;
Sun, because illuminator;
True, because from the Father;
Life, because creator;
Bread, because flesh;
Samaritan, because guardian and compassionate;
Christ, because anointed;
Jesus, because savior;
God, because from God;
Angel, because sent;
Bridegroom, because mediator;
Vine, because we are redeemed by His blood;
Lion, because king;
Rock, because foundation (firmamentum);
Flower, because chosen;
Prophet, because he revealed the future.
[Gelasian Decree, my rough translation]
The Decretum Gelasianum is a decretal that is found in a number of versions in different early collections (going back in extant manuscript to the eighth century); it is always attributed to a council in Rome, although different versions are attributed to councils under different popes from Pope Damasus (d. circa 384) to Pope Hormisdas (d. circa 523). Historically the most common view was that it was due to Pope Gelasius (d. circa 496), probably using material from an earlier council under Damasus (with the opening chapters, including the the above passage, usually being attributed to Damasus). Thus the name. In the main, this is probably still the common view, with many variant forms as to details, although we don't really know anything for sure. In any case, this is a striking passage.
