The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom
If any man is devout and loves God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast.
If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his reward.
If any have worked from the first hour, let him today receive his just recompense.
If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing.
If any have waited even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his lateness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first;
he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has worked from the first.
And he shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first;
and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts.
And he both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering.
Therefore, enter all of you into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and the last.
You rich and poor together, hold this high feast.
You sober and you reckless, honor the day.
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast sumptuously all of you.
The calf is fatted; let no one go away hungry.
Enjoy all of you the feast of faith: Receive all of you the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one worry over his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his sins, for pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered You in the lower regions.
It was made bitter, for it was abolished.
It was made bitter, for it was mocked.
It was made bitter, for it was slain.
It was made bitter, for it was overthrown.
It was made bitter, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and it met God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your 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 the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.