hieratikon

paashomilie van
Johannes Chrysostomus
(Sint-Jan Guldenmond)

aartsbisschop van
Constantinopel
345-407AD

-

If anyone is devout and a lover of God
let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant
let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting
let them now receive recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour
let them today receive the just reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour
with thanksgiving let them feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour
let them have no misgivings, for they shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour
let them draw near without hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour
let them not fear on account of tardiness.

For the Master is gracious
and receives the last even as the first.

He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour
just as to him who has labored from the first.

He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first,
to the one He gives, and to the other He is gracious.

He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord
and, whether first or last, receive your reward.

O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy!
O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!

You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast
rejoice today!

The table is rich-laden: feast royally, all of you!
The calf is fatted: let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith.
Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament their poverty
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn their transgressions
for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death
for the Saviour's death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it!
He descended into Hades and took Hades captive!

He embittered it when it tasted His flesh!
And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed:

"Hades 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 purged!
It was embittered, for it was despoiled!

It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and came upon God!
It took earth and encountered Ηeaven!

It took what it saw, but crumbled
before what it had not seen!

O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy 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 a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead
has become the First-fruits of them that have slept.

To Him be glory and might
unto the ages of ages.

Amen.