[Magdalen] Christ is Risen! Χριστός Ανέστη!

[Kate Conant]

Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and
radiant festival.If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing,
enter into the joy of his Lord.If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting,
let them now receive recompense.If anyone has labored from the first hour
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard>, let
them today receive the just reward.If anyone has come at the third hour,
with thanksgiving let them feast.If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour,
let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.If anyone has
delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.If
anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account
of tardiness.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 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf>: 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 their poverty, for the universal kingdom has
been revealed.Let no one mourn their 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
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades> and took Hades captive!He embittered
it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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 came upon God!It took earth
and encountered Ηeaven!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
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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 have slept.To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.Amen.


"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk
humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8