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Homily of St. John Chrysostom
Matins of Pascha ![]()
If any man be devout and love 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 recompense. If any have wrought from the
first hour, let him today receive his just reward. 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 thereof. If any have delayed until
the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If
any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him,
also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; 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 wrought from the
first hour.
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. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of
your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and
likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold
high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the
day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who
have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden;
feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one
go hungry away.
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.
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