Bishop of Constantinople (c. A.D. 400)
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this
beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are
there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any
have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; if
any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the
Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for
he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at
the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For
the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives
rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that
toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He
bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He
honors and the intention He commends.
Let
us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive
your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful,
celebrate the day!
You
that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the
Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all
the riches of His goodness!
Let
no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been
revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for
forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the
Death of Our Saviour has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring
it.
He
destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar
even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, “You,
O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell
was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar
because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in
an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now
made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and
encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did
not see.
O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is
Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having
risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen
asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
