On Resurrection Sunday, Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox parishes hear a homily written in the 4th century after Christ, written by a priest so renowned for his preaching that he well earned the epithet 'golden mouth." Saint John Chrysostom (Greek for 'golden mouth) is considered one of the Fathers of the Church, along with other saints such as Gregory, Justin Martyr, and Basil the Great. Certainly, the beauty of his oratory - which was sharpened in the tradition of Greek rhetoric in Asia Minor - is evident in this powerful sermon where he explains that even sinners who had only made last minute preparations for Christ's Resurrection also deserve a share in the feast.
Byzantine Catholics have a wonderful tradition of strict fasting throughout Lent - the forty days of preparation for Easter - in which they not only abstain from good things, such as cheese, flesh meat, eggs, butter and milk but also take on more of the life of Christ in prayer and works. They know that it is not enough to 'give something up' for Lent, but to also 'take something on' to further reveal the image or ikon of Christ that is in them.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) who name in Greek is Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), was Archbishop of Constantinople was known not only for his eloquence, but also for his courage in denouncing the abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders. He composed the the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom which remains in use among believers to this day as a tribute to his ascetic and theological sensibilities. It was after his death in 407 that he was given his Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.
The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on September 12. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of January 27, while the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint.
The Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom
If any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him how receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
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.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art 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 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
Unto ages of ages.