Of
Our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this
beautiful and radiant festival.
If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into
the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now
receive his recompense.
If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today
receive his just reward.
If anyone has come at the third hour, with
thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour,
let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss.
If anyone has delayed
until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation.
If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him
not fear on account of his delay.
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 his poverty, for the universal kingdom
has been revealed.
Let no one mourn his 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, face to face, met God! It took earth
and encountered heaven! 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 slept.
To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.
Viata Crestină, Aprilie-Iunie
2004
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