1st word for Holy Easter

In the sermon “First Word for Holy Pascha” (6 chapters) St. Hesychius of Jerusalem depicts Christ as a source of light and calls on listeners to form a solemn assembly with a luminous torchlight procession: “Our Lord Jesus Christ... illuminated the present day throughout the entire universe, ascended above the Cross, saved the faithful” (chapter 1). Every event in the life of Christ St. Hesychius considers it as one of the steps to salvation, because they sanctify all stages of human development and bring the God-Man closer to the goal of His incarnation - to the Cross and Resurrection: “For He hid first in the womb of the flesh, and then in the womb of the earth, there sanctifying those who are born by remaining in the womb, and here reviving those who were killed by resurrection” (chapter 5). Salvation is presented as a victory over the devil: “Now that God has overcome the invisible hostility, in justice we ourselves will achieve victory over the demons” (chapter 1). *The title of the work in Greek is Εἰς τὸ ἅγιον πάσχα. *The title of the work in Latin is Homilia I in s. Pascha. 1. The sky is bright, illuminated by the round dance of stars, the universe is even brighter with the rising of the morning star, but the real night is not so much illuminated by the stars, but is now filled with joy because our God and Savior has become the winner. “Be of good cheer,” He says, “I have conquered the world” 1 . Now that God has defeated the invisible hostility, it is fair that we ourselves will achieve victory over the demons. So let us remain near the saving Cross in order to receive the firstfruits of the gifts of Jesus. We celebrate this sacred night with sacred torchlight processions, lifting up the Divine song and singing the heavenly hymn. “The Sun of Truth” 2 – Our Lord Jesus Christ illuminated the present day throughout the entire universe, ascended above the Cross, and saved the faithful. 2. Therefore, let no one refuse to believe the symbol of the Cross, but let him worship the blessed and blessed tree of the Cross, the symbol of that Cross that opened the gates of heaven for us. It is no longer “they burn a lamp and supply it in secret,” but by “hidden” I mean the Law, “but in the candlestick,” 3 and by “lamp” the Word. Under the Law, as if under a concealment, the Word dwelt and remained hidden for the infidels, but when it ascended to the Cross and thereby was placed “on the candlestick,” then it shone throughout the entire universe. 3. Look, my beloved, at Rome, reigning thanks to the symbol of the Cross, towering in the middle of the square. Look at Paul, who composed the immortal Epistles and ascribed to himself the title of servant of the Cross: he was not ashamed of the Cross, a temptation for the Jews, madness for the pagans, he gained the protection of Wisdom 4, thanks to the Tree of the Cross he gathered the Churches of the universe. One rod of Moses turned away the Egyptian scourges, and the rod, because of its affinity with the Tree of the Cross, put an end to human sins. There Pharaoh drowns, rushing in pursuit of Israel, here the devil is overthrown, and those who worship the Cross are saved. There Adam stretched out his hands and brought death upon us, and our Lord, by stretching out his hands, saved everyone. 4. O tree, more magnificent than the sky and rising above the vaults of heaven! O blessed tree, which transports our souls to heaven! O tree that gave salvation to the world and drove away the devil’s army! O tree, which, like a spear, threw the robber into paradise and led him to rejoice with Christ - “Amen, amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” 5. Let us imitate the good will of the murderer, or rather the spirit-bearer, for the sake of his subsequent faith. Really, what is he saying? “Remember me, Lord, in the Kingdom of Si” 6. And thanks to the conviction of faith alone, he settles in paradise and passes through heaven: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Let us also remain near the Cross of the Savior, proclaiming these words: “Lord, remember me in the Kingdom of Heaven,” so that we too may become involved in paradise and taste the Kingdom of Heaven. 5. Today’s celebration is in honor of the victory, brothers, the victory of the All-Tsar, the Son of God. For now the devil is defeated thanks to the Crucified One, and our race rejoices thanks to the Risen One. For this day, for the sake of my resurrection, exclaims and says: “During my movement, I saw an unprecedented spectacle: the coffin opens and a man is resurrected, bones rejoice 7, souls rejoice and people are created, the heavens open and the Powers cry: “Lift up your gates, O princes,” 8 - and so on. Now I saw how the Heavenly King ascends, surrounded by light, above lightning and rays, above the sun and springs of water 9, above the clouds, the spirit of power 10 and eternal life.” For He hid first in the womb of the flesh, and then in the womb of the earth, there sanctifying those who are born by remaining in the womb, and here giving life to those who were killed by resurrection - “I ran away from sickness and sorrow and sighing” 11. “Who understands the mind of God, or who is His adviser,” 12 unless it is the Word incarnate and nailed on a tree, raised from the dead and ascended into heaven? 6. This day brings joy, for on this day the Lord rose again, raising with Him the host of Adams: He received birth through man and rose again in man. Now, thanks to the Risen One, paradise is opened, Adam is revived and Eve is consoled, the number of the elect is multiplied and the Kingdom is prepared, man is saved and Christ accepts worship. For, having trampled death, captured the tyrant and devastated hell, He ascended to heaven as the Victorious King, as the glorious Ruler, as the elusive Charioteer and says to the Father: “Behold, I and the children whom you have given, O God” 13 - and so on. And He heard from the Father: “Sit at My right hand, until I will make Your enemies Your footstool” 14. To him be glory now and forever. Amen. Rome. 11, 34; Is. 40, 13. See Isa. 8, 18; Heb. 2, 13. Ps. 109, 1; Acts 2, 34–35. You might be interested in: