Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes: Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom

(Chrysostomos, "golden-mouthed" so called on account of his eloquence).

Doctor of the Church, born at Antioch, c. 347; died at Commana in Pontus, 14 September, 407.

John -- whose surname "Chrysostom" occurs for the first time in the "Constitution" of Pope Vigilius (cf. P.L., LX, 217) in the year 553 -- is generally considered the most prominent doctor of the Greek Church and the greatest preacher ever heard in a Christian pulpit. His natural gifts, as well as exterior circumstances, helped him to become what he was.

-- Catholic Encyclopedia

The Easter Sermon
of John Chrysostom

Pastor of Constantinople (c. 400 AD)

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
     let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
     let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
     let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
     let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
     let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last
even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward!
Rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
     for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
     for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior
     has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering
Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done
away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome
by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
     for Christ having risen from the dead,
     is become the first-fruits of those who have
     fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Rendered in stanza format by Dn. Mark Baker

The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom

The Easter Sermon
of John Chrysostom