In the Easter season, one cannot avoid the Easter homily of St. John Chrysostom. It ranks as one of the most moving pieces of Patristic writing, and is so succinct that it requires little by way of introduction, yet so profound that any commentary can only detract from it. While this homily was posted last Easter, it is worth a revisit and as such it has been reposted here:
Enjoy
ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of
loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal
kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, 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 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 slain. It was embittered, for it
was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It
took a body, and met God face to face. 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.
Labels: John Chrysostom, quote, saint
