St. John Chrysostom on Pascha

[Pravoslavbob]

Here's a sentiment or two that bear repeating from the works of St. John!  Christ is risen!  Indeed He is risen!




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 therefor. 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 you 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 Hades, He made Hades captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hades, said he, was embittered, when it encountered You 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 Hades, 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. Amen.

[prodromas]

Sadly, because the Greek Orthodox church sees no direct gain in converting the liturgy to English. This year I was able to get my hands on the Holy Week service book and this year was the first time I have ever heard this beautiful homily written by St.John Chrysostom.

[PeterTheAleut]

Sadly, because the Greek Orthodox church sees no direct gain in converting the liturgy to English. This year I was able to get my hands on the Holy Week service book and this year was the first time I have ever heard this beautiful homily written by St.John Chrysostom.

Is this just your experience with your own Greek Orthodox parish, because I know of Greek churches (at least one) where virtually everything is done in English?

[Simayan]

I like this version the most as well. There's a nice cadence when read aloud, almost like poetry, especially the section I have quoted in my signature.

I have to say, though, that this is what I look forward to most during Pascha. My priest loves this part of the service, and he shouts it with so much enthusiasm that it brings tears to my eyes.

Whenever I need a reminder on what Christianity is truly all about, this Homily sums it all up perfectly with so much hope, triumph, and love that the emotions evoked are truly awe-inspiring. I guess that's why we call him "Golden-Tongued." Heh.

[Fr. George]

Sadly, because the Greek Orthodox church sees no direct gain in converting the liturgy to English. This year I was able to get my hands on the Holy Week service book and this year was the first time I have ever heard this beautiful homily written by St.John Chrysostom.

  Huh?

[prodromas]

  Huh?

Is this just your experience with your own Greek Orthodox parish, because I know of Greek churches (at least one) where virtually everything is done in English?

Sorry I should have clarified the statement. The Greek Orthodox church in Australia has been categorically denied the ability to do the whole Divine Liturgy (On Sunday or the Pascha service) in English by our Archbishop Stylianos. If anyone has read about Fr.Themi it is one of the reasons why he left Australia.

[Pravoslavbob]

Here's a sentiment or two that bear repeating from the works of St. John!  Christ is risen!  Indeed He is risen!




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 therefor. 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 you 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 Hades, He made Hades captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hades, said he, was embittered, when it encountered You 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 Hades, 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. Amen.

Bump!  It still bears repeating!  Christ is risen!!!

[HandmaidenofGod]

Here is my priest reading St. John's homily last week.

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