Surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia!

Et apparuit Simoni, alleluia!

On behalf of the Fraternal Society of St John the Apostle we want to extend to you and your loved ones a most Blessed Easter Sunday and Eastertide!

The Paschal Candle representing the Light of Christ (Lumen Christi) is the centerpiece of the table today and, like the Paschal Candle at church, is relit each day (such as at dinner and during family prayer) until the Feast of the Ascension in 40 days when the Light of the World leaves us to ascend to His Father. The candle should be large and white, and should be surrounded with flowers and the symbols of Easter. It can be carved with the Cross and the numbers for the current year as the church's Paschal Candle was yesterday -- first the Cross, then the Greek letters, then the numbers of the current year as in the diagram below. The cuts can be painted to make them stand out (try gold or deep red paint), and 5 grains of incense can be inserted at the ends and center of the Cross to symbolize the 5 Wounds (some people use cloves in place of incense at home, but if you have 5 grains of incense blessed on the Feast of the Epiphany, all the better) . The words to pray when making the cuts: ¹

While cutting the vertical branch of the Cross:

Christus heri et hódie

Christ yesterday and today.

While cutting the horizontal branch of the Cross:

Princípium et Finis,

the Beginning and the End,

While cutting the Greek letters:

Alpha et Omega.

Alpha and Omega.

While cutting the millenial figure of the year at the upper left quadrant:

Ipsíus sunt témpora

His are the times

While cutting the second figure of the year in the upper right quadrant:

et sæcula.

and ages.

When cutting the decade figure of the year in the lower left quadrant:

Ipsi glória et impérium

To Him be glory and dominion

When cutting the last figure of the year in the lower right quadrant:

per univérsa æternitátis sæcula. Amen.

through all ages of eternity. Amen

When inserting incense for the First Wound:

Per sua sancta vúlnera

By His holy

When inserting incense for the Second Wound:

gloriósa

and glorious wounds

When inserting incense for the Third Wound:

custódiat

may He guard

When inserting incense for the Fourth Wound:

et consérvet nos

and preserve us,

When inserting incense for the Fifth Wound:

Christus Dóminus. Amen.

Christ the Lord. Amen.

As the candle is lit:

Lumen Christi glorióse resurgéntis díssipet ténebras cordis et mentis.

May the light of Christ in glory rising again dispel the darkness of heart and mind.

Easter Sermon
By St. John Chrysostom

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaias foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

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.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!