This article aims to demonstrate that there is a strong probability for the Prologue spoken by the Virgin Mother in the play Christus Patiens, a tragic cento attributed to Gregory of Nazianzu, to include elements — words, expressions or even verses — borrowed from the Prometheus Unbound by Aischylus. This Prologue follows closely the reasoning, syntax and expressive means of the opening words spoken by the Nurse in Euripides’ Medea; nevertheless, it includes a sequence of verses (17-31), whose tragic models have not been identified yet. A close examination of its meaning and language reveals a number of elements that would suit the first speech of Gaia, visiting her son Prometheus on the day of his forthcoming liberation, better than they do fit Virgin Mary’s anxious words spoken in view of Christus’ approaching sufferings.
