From St. John Chrysostom:
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 therefore.
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.
Forever and ever.
Amen.
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