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

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

….The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
as well as to those who toiled from the beginning. For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
He honors every 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!

Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today, for the table—the altar of the Lord—is richly laden!

Feast royally, for the calf is fatted.
Let no one go away hungry. 
Partake, everyone, of the banquet of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of his goodness!

Let no one grieve because of their poverty,
for the universal Kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one lament that they have fallen again and again,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death,
for the Savior’s death has set us free.

He destroyed Death by enduring death.
He descended into Hades and took it captive.
It was in turmoil as soon as it tasted his flesh.

Isaiah—in chapter 14—foretold this when he said, “Hell was in turmoil when it encountered him in the lower regions.”

It was in turmoil because it was abolished.
It was in turmoil because it was mocked.

It was in turmoil because it was slain.
It was in turmoil for it was eclipsed.
It was in turmoil for it was annihilated.
It was in turmoil for it was wrapped in chains.

Hell took a corpse, and met God face to face.
It seized earth and encountered heaven.
Hell took what was seen and was overcome by what was unseen.

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

Christ is risen and you are overthrown!
Christ is risen and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen and life reigns!
Christ is risen and not one (of the) dead remains in the grave.

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

To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

Amen!

(Paschal homily attributed to St. John Chrysostom)