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I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Of Whose Kingdom there shall be no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets.

I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.  I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sin.  I look for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

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PASCHAL 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 now 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.

Amen.

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WELCOME TO THE FORUM

 Encounter Orthodox Christianity as Jesus Christ established it, as the Apostles proclaimed it, as the Bishops preserve it, and as the Saints live it.

This is a teaching forum, not a debate society.  If you have questions, doubts, or disagreements, state them respectfully.

The Scriptures are the product of the Church, and through them flows the inspiration given to the Church.  In this forum, they will be treated with respect and interpreted within their proper context, as an integral part of the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church.

Orthodoxy rejects the notion that any part of the Holy Tradition (which includes the Scriptures) can be in conflict with any other part of the Holy Tradition.

No conciliar decision can contradict the Scriptures.  No icon, or hymn, or feast can preach an idea contrary to the Scriptures.  No ascetic vision can deny the truth revealed in the Scriptures.

But while we absolutely uphold the truth that the Canon of Scripture is inspired, we do not limit inspiration to the Scriptures alone.  Liturgy is inspired.  The Ecumenical Councils are inspired.  Our hymnography, iconography, and temple architecture are inspired.

It is the Church that is inspired.  And it is from the inspired Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, that we receive the inspired Holy Tradition which safeguards the Gospel, given whole and complete by Christ to the Apostles.

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VISITORS:  This is a moderated forum.  If you are a new poster, be patient while I review your post for approval.  If you want voice, the best way to get it is to post.

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