HAPPY EASTER!

Resurrection Sunday Morning

John Chrystostom's Easter Homily

"Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary from fasting?
Let them now receive their due!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention...

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

You who have kept the fast, and you who have not,
rejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread!

Feast royally, for the calf is fatted.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the banquet of faith.
Enjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness...

Christ is risen, and you are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!"

Our Feast

leg of lamb, mint jelly, and gravy, rice-a-roni, apple-pecan salad, crescent rolls and jam, and jello (on the table already)

and Peach Trifle for dessert

a hymn of gladness

"The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;

the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.

From death to life eternal, from this world to the sky.

Our Christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory.

Our hearts from evil, that we may see aright.

The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection-light.

And, listening to his accents, may hear, so calm and plain,

His own 'All Hail!' and hearing, may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth her song begin;

Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is there in;

Invisible and visible, there notes let all things blend,

For Christ the Lord hath risen, our Joy that hath no end."

-John of Damascus

I wish you all a joyous day, celebrating the resurrection of our Savior and Lord!