Posted on Sunday, April 12, 2009
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EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

12 April Anno + Domin 2009

 "Christ Is Risen”

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

He is risen!  (He is risen indeed!)  Dearly beloved in the Lord, as we begin this highest of Feast Days on this most joyous morning, we shall have our ears filled with the blessed words of an ancient and classic Easter homily proclaimed by St. John Chrysostom, who was given the nickname "Golden Mouth,” because of his elegant and uncompromising proclamation of the Holy Gospel.  Draw near and listen, dear friends, for this 4^th century homily, filled with the timeless, indeed, eternal truth of the Good News of this most joyous day, is every bit as fitting for our 21^st century ears as it was for the ears who first heard it.  So, without further ado, I give you the Golden Gospel of this Golden Feast Day from the one called "Golden Mouth”: 

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed! 

If any man is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast.  If any man is a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of the Lord.  If any has labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.  If any has worked from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward.  If any has come at the third hour, let him have no misgivings; because he will in no way be deprived thereof.  If any has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing.  If any has tarried even until the eleventh hour let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as to him who has worked from the first hour.  And he shows mercy on the last, and cares for the first; and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts.  And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. 

Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second.  You rich and poor together, hold high festival.  You sober and you heedless, honor the day.  Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast.  The table is full-laden; feast you all sumptuously.  The calf is fatted; let no one go away hungry.  All of you, enjoy the feast of faith.  Receive all the riches of loving-kindness.  Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.  Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shone forth from the grave.  Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free.  He who was held prisoner of it, has annihilated it.  By descending into Hell, he has made Hell captive.  He angered it when it tasted his flesh.  And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:  Hell, said he, was angered, when it encountered You in the lower regions.  It was angered, for it was abolished.  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 that which was seen, and fell upon 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, being 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. 

Amen, indeed, beloved "Golden Mouth.”  Christ has swallowed up death forever, dear friends.  And here, on this holy mountain, that is, in His Holy Christian Church, Christ, our Lord of Hosts, provides for us a feast of rich food and well-aged wine.  He gives us His crucified and resurrected Body and Blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins.  He is our Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.  In His Holy and Precious Name.  Amen.

Now the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting.  Amen.