Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Just as He said! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

There is an ancient Easter Homily also called the Hieratikon written by St. John Chrysostom at the end of the fourth or beginning of the fifth century. It is obligatory for Orthodox Christians to recite this prayer at Morning Prayer on Easter Sunday. 

 

The text of the homily is poignant and really gets at the heart of the great celebration of Easter. Allow me to paraphrase: 

 

Whether you’re devout or tepid, rejoice today! 

 

If you’re good or have fallen, rejoice today! 

 

If you’re a hard worker or slothful, rejoice today! 

 

Whether you’ve kept your Lenten promises or not, rejoice today! 

 

Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you are, rejoice today! 

 

Let no one be sad or weep today! 

 

The banquet is full. The table has plenty! 

 

Christ has conquered, the devil lost! 

 

Death is no more! Life is for ever! 

 

Christ is risen, the tombs are empty! 

 

This is precisely what we celebrate today. Through the power of Christ’s cross and Resurrection we receive a fundamentally Christian perspective on reality. We see all of life through Easter lenses or Alleluia goggles. 

 

This eternal and paschal event gives hope and light and joy and life to every situation. In Christ nothing has power over us, not even death. 

 

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Just as He said! Alleluia! Alleluia!