Easter Vigil
Matthew 28:1-10
Now on the morning of the Sabbath, when it began to grow light, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.
And behold, a great earthquake occurred. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and as he approached, he rolled back the stone and sat down on it.
Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow. Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.
Then the Angel responded by saying to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was placed.
And then, go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen. And behold, he will precede you to Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you beforehand.”
And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Hail.” But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him. Then Jesus said to them: “Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.”
What do the Fathers say?
St John Chrysostom’s Paschal Homily
If any be devout and God-loving, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumph.
If any be a good and wise servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any be weary of fasting, let him now receive his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour, let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come at the third hour, let him feast with thankfulness.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him in no wise be in doubt, for in no wise shall he suffer loss.
If any be delayed even until the ninth hour, let him draw near, doubting nothing, fearing nothing.
If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him not be fearful on account of his lateness; for the Master, Who is jealous of His honour, receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that has laboured from the first hour;
Therefore, then, enter all into the joy of your Lord; both the first and the second, receive your reward. You rich and you poor, with one another exult.
You sober and you slothful, honour the day.
You that have kept the fast and you that have not, be glad today.
The table is full-laden.
The calf is fatted; let none go forth hungry.
Let all enjoy the feast of faith, receive all the riches of goodness.
Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his transgressions, for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb.
Let no one fear death, for the death of the Saviour hath set us free.
He has led hades captive, He Who descended into hades.
He embittered it, when it tasted of His flesh.
And foretelling this, Isaiah cried: “Hades,was embittered when it encountered Thee below.”
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.
It received a body and encountered God.
It received earth, and met heaven.
It received that which it saw, and fell to what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art cast down.
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen, and life flourishes.
Christ is risen, and there is none dead in the tombs.
For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of them that have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen.