Mary Magdalene, and the other women who were present at the burial of our Saviour on Friday evening, returned from Golgotha to the city and prepared fragrant spices and myrrh, so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. On the morrow, because of the law that forbids work on the day of the Sabbath, they rested for the whole day. However, at early dawn on the Sunday that followed, almost thirty six hours since the death of the Life-giving Redeemer, they come to the sepulchre with the spices to anoint His body. While they were considering the difficulty of rolling away the scene from the door of the sepulchre, there was a fearful earthquake; and an Angel, whose countenance shone like lightning and whose garment was white as snow, rolled away the stone and sat upon it. The guards that were there became as dead from fear and took to flight. The women, however, went into the sepulchre, but did or find the Lord's body. Instead, they saw two other Angels in the form of youths clothed in white, who told them that the Saviour was risen. They sent forth the women, who ran to proclaim to the disciples these gladsome tidings. Then Peter and John arrived, having learned from Mary Magdalene what had come to pass, and when they entered the tomb, they found only he winding sheets. Therefore, they returned again to the city with joy, as heralds now of the supernatural Resurrection of Christ, Who in truth was seen alive by the disciples on this day on five occasions.
Our Lord, then, was crucified, died, and was buried on Friday, before the setting of the sun, which was the first of His "three days" in the grave; observing the mystical Sabbath, that "seventh day" in which it is said that the Lord "rested from all His works" (Gen. 2:2-3), He passed all of Saturday in the grave; and He arose "while it was yet dark, very early in the morning" on Sunday, the third day, which, according to the Hebrew reckoning, began after sunset on Saturday.
As we celebrate today this joyous Resurrection, we greet and embrace on, another in Christ, thereby demonstrating our Saviour's victory over death and corruption, and the destruction of our ancient enmity with God, and His reconciliation with us, and our inheritance of life everlasting. The feast itself is called Pascha, which in Hebrew means "Passover"; because Christ, Who suffered and arose, has made us to pass over from the curse of Adam and slavery to the devil and death unto our primal freedom and blessedness. In addition, this day of this particular week, which is the first of all the rest, is dedicated to the honour of the Lord; in honour and remembrance of the Resurrection, the Apostles transferred to this rest day that which was formerly assigned to the Sabbath of the ancient Law
Troparion. Plagal of First Tone
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled down death, and on those in the graves He bestowed life.
Hypakoë. Fourth Tone
When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why do you seek among the dead, as though He was a mortal man, Him Who abides in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and has put death to death. For He is the Son of God, Who saves the race of man.
Kontakion. Plagal of Fourth Tone
You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women, Rejoice, and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who granted resurrection to the fallen.
The Paschal Hours
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled down death, and He has bestowed life on those in the graves. (Thrice)
Let us who have beheld the Resurrection of Christ worship our holy Lord Jesus, Who alone is without sin. We worship You Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy Resurrection. For You are our God, and we know none other beside You, and we call upon Your Name. Come, all you who are faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection, for behold, through the Cross joy has come to the whole world. Forever blessing the Lord, we praise His Resurrection. He endured the Cross for us, and by death destroyed death (Thrice).
When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the grave, they heard from the Angel, "Why do you seek among the dead, as though He was a mortal man, Him Who abides in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and has put death to death. For He is the Son of God, Who saves the race of man.
Though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and did arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women, Rejoice, and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who grants resurrection to the fallen.
In the grave bodily; in Hades with You soul, though You are God; In Paradise with the thief; and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit was You Who fills all things, O Christ the Uncircumscribable.
Glory.How life giving, how much more beautiful than paradise, and truly more resplendent than any royal palace proved You grave, the source of our resurrection. O Christ.
Both now.Rejoice, O sanctified and divine tabernacle of the Most High; for through you, O Theotokos, joy is given to them that cry: Blessed are you among women, O all-immaculate Lady.
Lord, have mercy (40 times). Glory; both now.More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, you who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the Name of the Lord, Father bless.The priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
The reader: Amen.