The Paschal Homily

Of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom

If anyone is devout and loves God, let them enjoy this fair and shining festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant, let them enter into the joy of their Lord.

If any have wearied themselves with fasting, let them now enjoy their payment.

If any have laboured since the first hour, let them today receive their due.

If any have come after the third hour, let them feast with gratitude.

If any have arrived after sixth hour, let them not hesitate: for there is no penalty.

If any have delayed until after the ninth hour, let them approach without hesitating.

If any have arrived only for the eleventh hour, them not fear because of their lateness: for the Lord is generous and receives the last as the first.

He gives rest to the worker of the eleventh hour as to those of the first. He has pity on the latter, he cares for the former.

He gives to the one, he is generous to the other.

He accepts the work done, he welcomes the intention.

He honours the achievement, he praises the purpose.

Therefore all of you enter into the joy of our Lord: first and last, enjoy your reward.

Rich and poor, dance together.

Sober and slothful, honour the day.

Fasters and non-fasters, be glad today.

The table is full, all of you enjoy yourselves.

The calf is fatted, let none go away hungry.

All of you, enjoy the banquet of the faith.

All of you, enjoy the richness of his goodness.

Let no one grieve at their poverty: for the kingdom for all has been revealed.

Let no one bewail their faults: for forgiveness has risen from the tomb.

Let no one fear death: for the Saviour’s death has freed us.

By enduring it, he quenched it.

He who descended into Hell has despoiled Hell.

He embittered it when it tasted his flesh as Isaias proclaimed in prophecy: ‘Death’, he said, ‘was embittered when it met you there below’.

Embittered, for it was destroyed.

Embittered, for it was mocked.

Embittered, for it was slain.

Embittered, for it was wiped out.

Embittered, for it was bound fast.

It received a body, and came face to face with God. It received earth, and met heaven.

It received what it saw, and fell through what it did not see.

Death, where is your sting?

Hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are abolished!

Christ is risen, and the demons have fallen!

Christ is risen, and Angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life has found freedom!

Christ is risen, and there is no corpse in the grave!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who sleep.

To him be glory and might to the ages of ages. Amen.