Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom

THE CATECHETICAL HOMILY OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, ON THE HOLY & RADIANT DAY OF THE ALL-GLORIOUS & SAVING RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OUR GOD

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If any is pious and loveth God, let him take delight in this goodly and splendid festival. If any is a noble-minded servant, let him enter, rejoicing, into the joy of his Lord. If any hath labored in fasting, let him now receive his payment. If any hath done so from the first hour, let him receive today his just reward. If any hath come after the third hour, let him celebrate, giving thanks. If any hath arrived after the sixth hour, let him not be in doubt, for he will in nowise be turned away. If any fail to come even by the ninth hour, let him approach without hesitation, fearing naught. And if any arriveth even at the very eleventh hour, let him not be daunted by his tardiness, for the Master, Who loveth to show honor, will receive the last even as He doth the first. He giveth rest unto the one who cometh at the eleventh hour even as the one who hath labored from the first hour: He is merciful to the latter and delighteth in the former; to one He giveth, and unto the other He bestoweth; He accepteth the labors and healeth the intention; He honoreth the activity and praiseth the intention. Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord. Ye who were first and ye who came afterward, receive your recompense. Rich and poor, join chorus together with each other; ye who have abstained and ye who were remiss, honor this day. Ye who fasted and ye who neglected to fast, be glad today. The table is laden: take delight therein, all of you. The calf hath been fattened: let no one depart hungry, let all enjoy the banquet of faith, let all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one lament his poverty, for our common kingship hath been made manifest. Let no one mourn his transgressions, for forgiveness hath shone forth from the tomb. Let no one fear death, for the death of the Savior hath set us free. He Who was seized thereby hath extinguished it; He Who descended into hades hath made hades captive; He hath embittered that which tasted of His flesh. Isaiah, who anticipated this, cried out, saying: “O hades, thou hast been embittered!” Meeting Thee below, it was embittered, for it was abolished; it was embittered, for it was mocked; it was embittered, for it was slain; it was embittered, for it was cast down; it was embittered, for it was bound. It seized a body, and came up against God; it received earth, and encountered heaven; it received what it could see, and dashed itself against what it could not see. O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory? Christ hath risen, and thou art overthrown! Christ hath risen, and the demons have fallen! Christ hath risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ hath risen, and life is restored! Christ hath risen, and not one of the dead remaineth in the grave; for, having risen from the dead, Christ hath become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Unto Him be glory and dominion, unto the ages of ages. Amen.