To millions of Christians, “the Easter Homily” can only mean one thing: the Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom, “the golden mouthed.” Let it be a lesson to all wiling preachers that this gem, from about the year 400, could be read aloud in a few scant minutes. But Easter wouldn’t be the same without it. A few lines:
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is 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.
See the whole thing at Orthodox Christian Foundation and more texts at the The St. John Chrysostom Webpage