| Sermon (audio) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Download Sermon | ||
| Service(video) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Download Service | Download Bulletin | |
In place of a regular sermon for the Easter Vigil this year, the Paschal Homily attributed to St. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople (AD 347-407), will be read.
If anyone is devout and loves God,
let him take part in this noble feast of triumph.
If anyone is a good and wise servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has wearied himself with fasting,
let him now receive his denarius.
If anyone has labored from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If anyone has come after the third hour,
let him keep the feast with thanksgiving.
If anyone has come after the sixth hour,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If anyone has arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be fearful on account of his lateness.
For the Master is generous and welcomes the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same way as to him who has labored from the first.
And He has mercy on the last, and refreshes the first.
To the one He gives, and to the other He is gracious.
And the deeds He receives, and the thought He welcomes kindly.
And the effort He honors, and the intention He praises.
Enter, then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
Both the first and the second, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You sober and you slothful, honor the day.
You who have fasted and you who have not, rejoice with gladness today.
The table is full! All of you, come and enjoy the feast.
The calf is fattened! Let none go away hungry.
Come, one and all, and partake of the feast of faith, the riches of His kindness!
Let none lament his poverty;
for a kingdom has appeared that is common to all.
Let none bewail his trespasses;
for pardon has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for the death of the Savior has set us free.
He quenched death, even as He was held by death.
He did injury to hell, having descended into hell.
He filled it with bitterness as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried and said,
“Hell was embittered when it met You below.”
It was embittered, because it was made powerless;
embittered, because it was mocked;
embittered, because it was put to death;
embittered, because it was overthrown;
embittered, because it was chained.
It took a body and encountered God.
It took earth and met heaven.
It took what it saw and fell because of what it did not see.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Christ has arisen! And you, O death, have been cast down!
Christ has arisen! And the demons have fallen!
Christ has arisen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ has arisen! And life lives free!
Christ has arisen! And the tomb is barren of its dead!
For Christ, having arisen from the dead,
has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be the glory and the power, forever and ever. Amen.
