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 Savior 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!
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