The day of Resurrection; let us be radiant
for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, brethren,
even to those that hate us, ‘Let us forgive all things on the
Resurrection’, and so let us cry, ‘Christ has risen from the dead: by
death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life’.

St. John of Damascus

Is anyone devout and loves God, let them enjoy this fair and shining
festival. Is anyone a grateful servant, let them enter into the joy of
his Lord. Have any wearied themselves with fasting, let them now enjoy
their payment. Has anyone laboured since the first hour, let them today
receive their due. Did any come after the third hour, let them feast
with gratitude. Did any arrive after sixth hour, let them not hesitate:
for there is no penalty. Did any delay until after the ninth hour, let
them approach without hesitating. Did any arrive 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. Where, death, is
your sting? Where hell, is your victory? Christ has risen and you are
abolished! Christ has risen and the demons have fallen! Christ has
risen, and Angels rejoice! Christ has risen, and life has found
freedom! Christ has 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.

St. John Chrysostom