The Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

2026-24
sermon preached at Church of the Good Shepherd, Federal Way, WA
www.goodshepherdfw.org
by the Rev. Josh Hosler, Rector
The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4, 2026

This ancient sermon was first preached around the year 400. In many Christian communities around the world, especially in Eastern Orthodox churches, it is customary to hear it on this night.

Is there anyone here who is a devout lover of God?

Let them enjoy this bright and beautiful festival.

Is there anyone here who is a grateful servant?

Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Is there anyone here who is weary with fasting?

Let them now receive their wages!

If they have toiled from the first hour,

let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour,

let them with gratitude join in the Feast!

And those who arrived after the sixth hour, let them not doubt;

for they shall have sustained no loss.

And if any have delayed until the ninth hour,

let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,

let them not be afraid because of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

Our God gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour, as well as to those who toiled from the first,

giving gifts to the one, and bestowing riches on the other.

God accepts the work, and greets the endeavor.

God honors the deed, and commends the intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike, receive your reward!

Rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today,

for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally, for the calf is fattened. Let no one go away hungry.

Partake, you all, of the cup of faith.

Enjoy, you all, the riches of God’s goodness!

Let no one grieve at their poverty,

for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that they have fallen again and again;

for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death; for the death of our Savior has set us free.

He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when he descended into it.

He put it into an uproar even as it tasted His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said,

You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.

Hell is in an uproar, for it was abolished. It is in an uproar, for it was mocked.

It is in an uproar, for it was destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.

It is in an uproar, because it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and found God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven.

It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you, O Death, are annihilated! Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ, having risen from the dead,

has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Christ our Lord be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

ALLELUIA! Christ is risen! (The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!)

ALLELUIA! Christ is risen! (The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!)

ALLELUIA! Christ is risen! (The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!)