Homily on Holy Pascha
The Victory Over Death and the Triumph of Eternal Life.
The Triumph of Truth and the Shaming of Falsehood.
By St. John of Kronstadt
(Delivered in 1905)
“When I [John the Theologian] saw Him [Jesus Christ; this was on the island of Patmos], I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death'” (Rev. 1:17–18).
Christ is Risen!
Glory to God - Christ has risen from the dead! The Sun of Truth, though temporarily was as if extinguished and hidden in the grave, shone again and illuminated the whole world with all-joyful, life-giving rays. In the past days of the Passion of Christ, these sufferings brought upon us great sorrow, and in some they brought forth tears — either of compassion for Him who suffered for us, or tears of repentance for our sins, which caused such suffering to our Lord, who bore upon Himself all our punishments for our sins. And now, on the day of resurrection, a common joy illuminated the hearts and faces of all believers, for our life has again shone from the grave, granting everyone forgiveness of sins and the hope of resurrection and eternal life, "for Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:20). Where is the malice and envy of the scribes and Pharisees, where is the mockery of the dead by the Jewish high priests? Where is Pilate's guard? Where are the seals of Christ's tomb? Everything disappeared, everything changed with the resurrection of Christ: the enemies were put to shame; all their machinations served only for the greater glory of the Crucified and Risen One, and, most importantly, for the salvation of the whole world; all the fears of the apostles and all the faithful disappeared with the rise of Christ from the tomb; death itself, the terror of all earthly beings, has been defeated; hades, which laughed, has been destroyed; the gatekeepers of hades, guarding the eternal prison, scattered from fear. The Risen One took possession of the keys of hades and death, having snatched them from Satan, "who had the power of death" (Heb. 2:14), and reigns forever in heaven and on earth.