Sermon: Let us pray: 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. 

Have you ever heard that prayer? Anglicans use it to end every morning and evening prayer. But it isn’t Anglican. It was written by an Archbishop of Constantinople around the beginning of the 400s.  

That’s him on the slide. 

His name was John, and he was nicknamed Chrysostom, or Gold Mouth, because he was a brilliant preacher. His prayers and his sermons were recorded. We still have them. 

He spoke truth to power, and the queen was incensed and had him banished, so he died in exile. But his sermons live on. 

His sermons are short, but they pack a punch. 

They are still a fabulous resource, especially for Easter. 

Next Sunday our Orthodox sisters and brothers celebrate Easter around midnight, and this is followed by a feast. They have been fasting for fifty days, mostly vegan. Later that day most of them will be still sleeping it off. 

John’s Easter sermon is read in every Orthodox church every Easter. I have heard it in Anglican and United Churches, and I know of a Baptist preacher who reads it out every Easter. 

Picture this: Christianity has only been legal for a hundred years or less. Churches have begun to be built.  

They were still mostly simple concrete rectangles which have begun to be decorated with bright and cheerful mosaics.  

The faithful have gathered before midnight on Easter Saturday, and the Easter service itself begins very early on Easter. In the darkness the lamps flicker, and John begins this his sermon that has come down to us through the ages.  

Afterwards the long Lenten fast would be broken by a communal feast. Then they might catch an hour or so of sleep before dawn and another workday. 

There is something in his sermon which alludes to a tradition that we have forgotten. Do any of you remember the Apostles Creed? He descended in hell and rose again on the third day. 

The early church had a tradition that Jesus descended into hell to release the righteous who had previously died and were caught in a nowhere land until Jesus brought them out. 

This is the tradition for yesterday, Holy Saturday. It is called the harrowing of hell. You can goggle it and see how the artists have interpreted it. The naked man reaching out to Jesus is Adam, the first to come out. Behind him is Eve. 

 

Another sermon from the second century, that’s the one hundreds, by Bishop Melito of Sardis, begins with:  

Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. 

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. 

Now that was yesterday. I mention this because it is alluded to in John Chrysostom’s sermon which is traditionally read on Easter. 

So, let’s join with Christians in that fifth century church and down the ages and around the world and hear Saint John Chrysostom speak to us this morning. 

The Easter Homily of St John Chrysostom:  

Those who truly love God, let them take part gladly in this splendid and glorious festival. 

Those who are faithful servants, let them joyfully enter into the joy of their master. 

Those who are tired with fasting, let them now enjoy their reward. 

Those who have worked from six in the morning, let them receive today what is owed to them.  

Those who came after nine o’clock, let them celebrate the festival gratefully.  

Those who came after twelve o’clock, let them be confident, they will not be deprived.  

Those who waited until three in the afternoon, let them come forward without hesitation.  

Those who came only at five o’clock, let them not be afraid of coming so late.  

For the master is generous and takes on the last as he took on the first.  

He gives rest to those who came at five in the afternoon, as well as to those who came at six in the morning.  

He rewards work done and approves those who intended to work. 

So, enter, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.  

First and last, receive your reward together.  

Rich and poor, dance together.  

 

Those of you who have fasted, and those who have not fasted, rejoice today.  

The table is fully spread, let all enjoy it.  

The calf is fatted, let no one go away hungry. 

 

No one need complain of poverty, for the universal kingdom has appeared.  

No one need weep for their sins, for forgiveness has risen from the grave.  

No one need fear death, for the Saviour’s death has freed us. 

 

He has destroyed death by suffering death. 

He has pillaged hell by descending into hell. 

 

Hell was embittered when it met you, Lord, face to face below: 

embittered, because it was annihilated; 

embittered, because it was mocked; 

embittered, because its power was destroyed; 

embittered, because it was chained up. 

 

It received a body and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven. 

 

O death, where is your sting? O death, where is your victory? 

Christ is risen, and you are thrown down. 

Christ is risen, and the demons have fallen. 

 

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. 

Christ is risen, and life reigns in freedom. 

 

Christ is risen, and no one is left dead in the grave. 

For Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. To him be glory and dominion now and for ever. Amen.