[AlbionGirl]

He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

How indescribably beautiful the whole prayer is, and how willingly and magnanimously he welcomes the 11th hour Christian.

The quality of Mercy has always been the measure of a Christian for me.

Thanks so much for posting this.

[Kolokotronis]

The reason I posted this is to demonstrate the very human joy this great Saint and Father found in his Paschal Faith, a joy he has transmited to all of us who have eys to see and ears to hear and it is in this joy that we should live our lives. There is no place for despair.

The joy of Pascha, especially experienced by us in the Divine Liturgy for Pascha, is given expression in this wonderful sermon. Throughout the centuries when Orthodox people heard, and hear this sermon, they respond in unison to each "It was embittered", by proclaiming "It was embittered!" Great Lent, especially Great Week and Pascha are a time for tears, of sorrow and finally of overpowering joy. It is the Baptism of Tears the Fathers speak of, a gift of the Holy Spirit and necessary for our theosis.