He is risen, Alleluia!
He is risen indeed, alleluia, alleluia!
The effect of
righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness
and trust for ever. Isaiah 32:17
‘I am the
resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die,
will live! John 11:25
If anyone is
devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.
If anyone is a
grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has
wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.
If anyone has
labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.
If anyone has
come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.
If anyone has
arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer
no loss.
If anyone has
delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.
If anyone has
arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.
For the Master
is gracious and receives the last even as the first; He gives rest to him that
comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first.
He has mercy
upon the last and cares for the first; to the one He gives, and to the other He
is gracious.
He both honors
the work and praises the intention.
Enter all of
you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive
your reward.
O rich and
poor, one with another, dance for joy!
O you ascetics
and you negligent, celebrate the day!
You that have
fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today!
The table is
rich-laden: feast royally, all of you!
The calf is
fatted: let no one go forth hungry!
Let all
partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.
Let no one
lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one
mourn their transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.
Let no one
fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was
taken by death has annihilated it!
He descended
into Hades and took Hades captive!
He embittered
it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed:
"Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions".
It was
embittered, for it was abolished!
It was
embittered, for it was mocked!
It was
embittered, for it was purged!
It was
embittered, for it was despoiled!
It was
embittered, for it was bound in chains!
It took a body
and came upon God!
It took earth
and encountered Ηeaven!
It took what
it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!
O death, where
is thy sting?
O Hades, where
is thy victory?
Christ is
risen, and you are overthrown!
Christ is
risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is
risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is
risen, and life reigns!
Christ is
risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!
For Christ,
being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have
slept.
To Him be
glory and might unto the ages of ages. Amen.
St John
Chrysostom