Easter

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
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 on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has 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 of His flesh. Isaias foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it was mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it was destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered 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 thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy 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, is to become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
 
St. John Chrysostom (d. 407)

Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise.
 
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
 
Death with life contended: combat strangely ended!
Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign.
 
Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose!
 
The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee.
 
That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know.
Victorious King, Thy mercy show! 
 
Amen. Alleluia.

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his pierced side.
 
Praise we him whose love divine
Gives the guests his blood for wine,
Gives his body for the feast,
Love the victim, love the priest.
 
Where the paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dark angel sheaths his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
 
Christ, the Lamb whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
 
Mighty victim from the sky,
Powers of hell beneath thee lie;
Death is conquered in the fight;
Thou hast brought us life and light.
 
Now thy banner thou dost wave;
Vanquished Satan and the grave;
Angels join his praise to tell —
See overthrown the prince of hell.
 
Paschal triumph, paschal joy,
Only sin can this destroy;
From the death of sin set free,
Souls reborn, dear Lord, in Thee.
 
Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.
Amen.

O Thou, the heavens’ eternal King,
Creator, unto Thee we sing,
With God the Father ever One,
Co-equal, co-eternal Son.
 
Thy hand, when first the world began,
Made in Thine own pure image man,
And linked to Adam, sprung from earth,
A living soul of heavenly birth.
 
And when by craft the envious foe
Had marred Thy noblest work below,
Clothed in our flesh, Thou didst restore
The image Thou hadst made before.
 
Once wast Thou born of Mary’s womb;
And now, new-born from out the tomb,
O Christ, Thou bidd’st us rise with Thee
From death to immorality.
 
Eternal Shepherd, Thou dost lave
Thy flock in pure baptismal wave—
That mystic bath, that grave of sin,
Where ransomed souls new life begin.
 
Redeemer, Thou for us didst deign
To hang upon the Cross of pain,
And give for us the lavish price
Of Thine own Blood in sacrifice.
 
Grant, Lord, in Thee each faithful mind
Unceasing Paschal joy may find;
And from the death of sin set free
Souls newly born to life by Thee.
 
To Thee, once dead, who now dost live,
All glory, Lord, Thy people give,
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Spirit forevermore.
Amen.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 
Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
 
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
 
Let us pray,
O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. 
Amen.