If anyone is devout and loves God, let him enjoy this beautiful, radiant, triumphal feast. If anyone is a wise servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord. Those who have laboured long in fasting, let them now receive their recompense.

If anyone has worked from the first hour, let him receive today his just reward. If anyone came at the third hour, let him keep the feast with thankfulness. If anyone arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no apprehension, because he will not be deprived of anything on that account. If anyone delayed until the ninth hour, let him come and fear nothing. If anyone waited even until the eleventh hour, let him not be dismayed at being so late, for the Lord, who is jealous of his honour, will accept the last exactly like the first. He gives rest to the one who arrives at the eleventh hour just as to the one who worked from the first hour.

He shows mercy to the last and he cares for the first. To the one he gives a reward, and to the other he gives a present. He accepts the achievements, welcomes the intention, honours what is done, and praises those who make offerings to him. Therefore, all of you, enter into the joy of your Lord: receive your reward, whether you are among the first or among the others.

Rich and poor together, keep the feast. The sober-minded and the careless, honour the day. Rejoice today, both those who kept the fast and those who disregarded it. The table is laid: come and feast sumptuously! The calf is fatted: let no one go away hungry. Let everyone enjoy the feast of faith: let everyone receive the riches of God’s lovingkindness. Let no one regret his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon shines out of Christ’s grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free.

He who was keep a prisoner by death, has annihilated it. By descending into hell, he has made hell captive. He angered hell when it tasted of his flesh. And Isaiah cried out as he foretold it: “Hell,” he said, “was angered when it encountered you in its depth.” It was angered, for it was abolished. It was angered, for it was mocked. It was angered, for it was slain. It was angered, for it was overthrown. It was angered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth and encountered heaven. It took what was seen and fell on 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, having risen from the dead, has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen!

Given by St. John Chrysostom, AD374-407