The Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom as read by The Rev'd John L. Blackburn

This evening’s sermon was written quite a long time ago, around the year 400 AD to be only semi-exact. Yet, by the year 400, this very act of keeping Vigil as we have been and are doing now was already an old custom, and in many ways seemed ancient to those believers as well. But yet, on this most Holy of all Nights, we watch, and we remember just as Saint John Chrysostom did all those many years ago. It has become a tradition in the Orthodox Church and in many Anglican and Episcopal Churches to read this sermon of Saint John Chrysostom on this night. It is a welcoming sermon, a sermon inviting all to come and enjoy the heavenly feast. Saint John was given the title “Chrysostom”, which means “Golden-mouthed”, because of his eloquent speaking and highly charged sermons. When he preached this sermon, John Chrysostom was the Archbishop of Constantinople, present day Istanbul in Turkey. Much could be said about him and his life, but that will have to wait for another time. Instead, travel back to the year 400 on a dark night just like now, and you have seen and heard everything we have just said and done, and now, you hear these word of Saint John Chrysostom: