Christ is risen!

The Catechetical Sermon of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Holy and Light-bearing Day of the Holy and Saving Resurrection of Christ our God:

If any be pious and a lover of God, let him partake of this good and radiant festival.
If any be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself in fasting, let him now partake of his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour, let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third hour, let him feast with thanksgiving.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings, for he shall in no wise suffer loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, not wavering.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not fear for his tardiness.
For the Master, who loveth his honor, accepteth the last even as the first.
He giveth rest to the one who came at the eleventh hour, as to the one who wrought from the first.
And He hath mercy on the one that delayeth, and he careth for the first.
To the one He giveth, and on the other He bestoweth gifts.
He both accepteth the works, and welcometh the intention;
He honoreth the acts, and praiseth the purpose.
Enter ye all, therefore, into the joy of your Lord.
Ye first and ye second, partake of the reward.
Ye rich and ye poor, dance your joy together.
Ye that abstain and ye slothful, honor the day.
Ye that have fasted, and ye that have not fasted, be glad today.
The table is laden; do ye all fare sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let none go away hungered.
Partake ye all of the banquet of faith.
Partake ye all of the riches of loving-kindness.
Let none lament his neediness, for the common kingdom hath been revealed.
Let none grieve for his offenses, for pardon hath shone forth from the grave.
Let none fear death, for the Savior’s death hath set us free.
He that was held by it hath quenched it.
He that descended into Hell hath despoiled Hell.
He embittered it, which had tasted of His flesh, and Isaiah, anticipating this saith, Hell was embittered, when it met thee below.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was deceived.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was cast down.
It was embittered, for it was fettered.
It took a body and encountered God.
It took earth and met heaven.
It took what it saw and fell upon what it saw not.
Where is thy sting, O Death?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown.
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen, and life prevaileth, and there is none dead in the tomb.
For Christ in arising from the dead is become the first-fruits of those that have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is risen!