Publisher's introduction

This book contains two sermons by Saint John Chrysostom from three sermons he delivered on Good Friday. The second of these sermons was published in 2001, and here we republish them with another of these sermons.

First sermon

This sermon was delivered by Saint John Chrysostom during one of the church celebrations on Good Friday in the city of Antioch during one of his years of service in the Church of Antioch (which extended from the year 386 to the year 397 AD), before he was chosen as Patriarch of Constantinople in the year 397 AD. This sermon is the second of three sermons he delivered from the cross.

In this sermon, he talks about the importance of the Cross of Christ and why it is celebrated, about the suffering and death of Christ, about the repentance of the thief and his confession of Christ, the importance of repentance and confession for believers, and about the necessity of praying for enemies and asking for forgiveness for them.

Good Friday prayers in Antioch were performed in the large cemetery in which the martyrs were buried outside the city as a memorial to the crucifixion of Christ outside Jerusalem, as Chrysostom explains in his sermon. Prayers continued throughout the day and most of the night. This custom of prayer in the Martyrs’ Cemetery was also a reminder that those buried in this cemetery await the glorious resurrection with the Savior who was crucified, buried, and rose.

This sermon was translated from the ancient Greek language by Dr. Joseph Maurice Felts, a researcher at the Orthodox Center for Patristic Studies. This is from the Petrologia Greca Group (mini): PG 49: 407-418.

Second sermon

This sermon includes a brief text containing sublime theological concepts. In it, Chrysostom explains why the place where those who have departed from this life rest is called “the resting place.” He then confirms that physical death - after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ - is sleep, since Christ is the conqueror of death. So he then spoke about the effect of the cross, through which Christ trampled death and gave us the possibility of victory over the devils. Then he concluded the sermon by speaking about how to approach with reverence to receive divine communion.

We do not know exactly the time in which Chrysostom delivered this sermon. But some believe that he delivered it on Good Friday in the year 386 AD, or most likely in the year 392 AD. This sermon was translated by Dr. George Awad Ibrahim from the original text found in Greek in Patrologia Greca (Mini) PG 49: 393-398, under the title: “The Naming of the Shrine and the Cross of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.”

May our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the benefit of contemplating his cross, death, and resurrection through the prayers of Saint John Chrysostom and the fragrance of his spiritual gaze.

To our loving God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the equal Trinity, all glory, prostration, and praise, now and forever. Amen

Father Tadros Yacoub Malti

This book is translated by the Coptic Church: This means that we do not agree with everything that was stated in the comments of the translator or the preparer, and sometimes we disagree with it. Please alert us if there is anything like this or something that is not understood...

First sermon

First: The glory and pride of the cross (1)

1 - Today, my beloved ones, we celebrate and celebrate as the Lord is on the cross and the sun is hidden. Do not be surprised that the things that cause frowning and frowning are the same ones that we celebrate, as all spiritual matters differ from the usual physical matters. And to know this completely.

The cross was previously a name for retribution and punishment, but now it is a name for pride and respect. Previously, the cross was a place of shame and torment, but now it has become a cause of glory and honor.

The fact that the cross is glory is confirmed by Christ’s saying, “O Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before the foundation of the world” (John 17:5).

The cross is the pinnacle of our salvation. The cross is the source of tens of thousands of good things. Through it, the outcast and fallen became accepted as children.

Through Him we are no longer misled, but know the truth.

Through the cross, those who previously worshiped wood and stones came to know the Creator of all.

Through the cross, the slaves of sin gained freedom through righteousness.

Through him, the earth became heaven, and thus (through the cross) we were liberated from error, and thus we received guidance to the truth.

Thus God accomplished something worthy of Him toward humanity.

Thus he raised us from the depths of sin and raised us to the height of virtue.

This is how he destroyed the delusion of the devils and thus revealed the deception.

With the cross there is no more smoke (2), nor the blood of animals shed, but everywhere we find spiritual celebrations, praises, and prayers.

Through the cross, the forces of evil escaped and Satan fled.

Through the cross, human nature races to join the assembly of angels.

Through the cross, virginity became established on earth. Since Christ came from a virgin, he opened the path of this virtue to human nature.

Through the cross, He enlightened us sitting in darkness.

Through the cross, he freed us from captivity, and after we were far away, we became close to him.

Thus, through the cross we were saved, and this redemption has already become ours.

Thus, through the cross, after we were strangers, we became heavenly citizens.

Thus, through the cross, after we had been fighting, we had peace and security.

Through the cross, we no longer fear the arrows of Satan, for we have found the source of life.

Through the cross, we no longer need external adornments because we enjoy the Bridegroom.

Through Him, we no longer fear the wolf, for we have come to know the Good Shepherd: “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).

With it, we will not intimidate the tyrant, since we are on the side of the king.

Second: Why do we celebrate the Cross?

Have you seen how many good things the cross has given us? So we have the right to hold a feast for him. That is why the Apostle Paul commanded us to celebrate, saying, “Let us celebrate not with old leaven...but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

Why do you advise us, O blessed Apostle Paul, to celebrate the Cross?

He explained the reason, “Christ’s Passover was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Have you seen how the cross is a feast for Christ? Did you know that we should celebrate the cross? Christ was sacrificed on the cross, and where the sacrifice is, there is freedom from sins, there is reconciliation with the Lord, there is feast and joy.

Third: Christ: the sacrifice and the priest

It has been said that our Passover, Christ, was sacrificed for us. So tell me where he was slaughtered? He was sacrificed raised on the cross. The altar is new and different from any other altar, because the sacrifice is new and different from any sacrifice, for it is the same as the sacrifice and the priest. As for his being a sacrifice, it is according to the body, while his being a priest is according to the spirit, and he himself is the one who offers and is presented. So listen also to what Paul says, “The high priest who is taken from among the people is appointed for the sake of the people to offer (sacrifices) to God on their behalf, but Christ had no need of that when he offered himself” (Hebrews 5:8, 8:3). The Apostle Paul says in another place, “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). He was presented here, but there he presented himself. Did you see how he became both a sacrifice and a priest, and how the cross was an altar for him?

Fourth: Why was Christ crucified outside the city and raised on the cross?

It is necessary to know for what reason the sacrifice was not offered inside the Jewish temple, but outside the city, outside the walls. He was crucified outside the city like a sinner, so that what was said by the prophet would be fulfilled: “He was numbered with the sinners” (Isaiah 53:12).

Why was he crucified outside the city, high on the cross, and not under a roof? To purify the nature of the air. There, while he was raised on the cross, he was not shaded by a roof, but by a sky, in order to purify it once by slaughtering the lamb there high on the cross. Just as the sky was purified, He also purified the earth. When blood flowed from his side, the earth was cleansed of all impurity.

Why was the sacrifice of the cross not offered under a roof or in a Jewish temple? I know that this is also not a simple matter. This happened so that the Jews would not claim that the sacrifice belongs to them alone, or think that it was offered on behalf of this people only, and that is why it was offered outside the city and the walls in order to teach them that the sacrifice is ecumenical, and also that it was offered on behalf of everyone.

And the purification of nature is comprehensive for the entire earth, unlike the Jews who were commanded by God to leave the entire earth and keep for themselves one place for prayer and offering sacrifices, because the entire earth was defiled with the smoke and blood of the sacrifices of the pagans and the filth of the Greeks.

As for us, Christ came and suffered outside the city, purified the entire inhabited world, and made every place a place of prayer. Do you want to know how the whole earth became a temple and every place became a place of prayer? I also hear what the blessed Paul said, “I want men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without anger or disputing” (1 Timothy 2:8). Have you seen that the entire inhabited earth has been purified, and that we can raise pure hands everywhere? Therefore, the entire earth has become holy, or rather more sacred than the Holy of Holies of the Jews. How can this be? There in the Holy of Holies, a sheep is offered from among the irrational animals, but here the sheep is rational (speaking). To the extent that the rational sacrifice is superior to the irrational sacrifice, so is the sanctification of the land (through the cross) superior to the sanctities of the Jews. Therefore, the Cross is truly a holiday

Fifth: Through the Cross, Paradise was opened

2 - Would you like to know about another great achievement of the cross that is beyond the comprehension of the human mind? Paradise, which was closed, has been opened today. Today the thief entered him. There are two great achievements: the conquest of Paradise and the thief's entry into it, his return to his old homeland, and his return to his motherland.

“Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). What do you say, Lord? Are you, being crucified and nailed to the cross, promised paradise? How do you actually blow that?

The Apostle Paul says, “He was crucified out of weakness,” but listen to what follows, “But he lives by the power of God.” And in another place he says, “For my strength is made perfect in weakness,” and that is why he says: I am counting while I am on the cross, so that you may also know my strength from this. This sad matter did not happen to keep you from thinking about the nature of the cross, but rather to learn about the power of the one crucified on it and the miracle that was performed over him, that miracle that indicates the power of the crucified one. The thief did not believe in him while he was raising the dead or rebuking the waves of the sea and casting out demons, but rather when he was crucified and nailed while he was exposed. To curse, spit, mock and torture.

Look, then, at the two shining sides of the power of the Crucified One: that he shook the foundations of nature and the cracks of the rocks, on the one hand, and that he made the soul of the thief, which was harder and more difficult than the rock, to become meek.

Do you say, Lord, “Today you will be with me in Paradise”? The Cherubim preserve Paradise, and there a fiery sword roams, and you promise the thief that you will bring him there?

Yes, Christ says: I am the Lord of the Cherubim, and I have authority over flames, hell, life, and death. That is why he says, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” If the Lord had this ability, He would have enjoyed it directly to others, and although the king would not be willing to sit with a thief or one of his servants or accompany him to the city, the Lord, the lover of humanity, did that and brought the thief with him into the holy country. In this case, the thief does not insult Paradise by trampling on it, but rather honors it. It was an honor for Paradise to have such a powerful and human-loving master who made the thief worthy of enjoying it. When he called the tax collectors and adulterers to the kingdom, he did not despise this kingdom, but rather honored it and showed that he is the Lord of the kingdom of heaven, who made tax collectors and adulterers worthy of the glory and gift of the kingdom there. Just as we admire the doctor when we see him curing people from incurable diseases and bringing them to complete health, so, my beloved, we must admire and be amazed by Christ as he heals the incurable diseases of people’s souls and frees them from the evils that control them, making those who were controlled by evils to the greatest extent, Welcome to the kingdom of heaven

Sixth: The thief’s faith and confession

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”: a great honor, a transcendent love for humanity, a goodness that cannot be described in excess. Entering Paradise is a very great honor, as it is entering with the Master.

What happened? Will you tell me what the thief demonstrated that would make him worthy of Paradise and not the Cross? Do you want me to briefly say and show you the virtue of the thief?

The Lord who was denied by Peter, the leader of the apostles, even though he was not on the cross, was recognized by the thief while he was hanging on the cross. I do not say this to accuse Peter, God forbid, but I want to show the greatness of the thief’s soul and his superior philosophy. That (disciple) could not bear a cheap threat from a little girl. As for the thief, as he saw the entire crowd cheering and going crazy and shouting blasphemies and mockery at the crucified one, he did not pay attention to the insults of the crucified one, but with the eyes of faith, he did not care about all of this and left these stumbling blocks behind him, and acknowledged that he is the Lord of the Heavens. Saying those words that made him worthy of Paradise: “Remember me in your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

Do not simply bypass this thief and do not be ashamed to take him as a teacher, for our Master himself, before us, was not ashamed of him, but rather admitted him into Paradise. Do not be ashamed to take the person who deserved - before all people - to be worthy of the bliss of life in Paradise, as your teacher. Let us examine all these matters carefully so that from now on we will recognize the power of the cross.

He did not say to him as he said to Peter and Andrew, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), and he did not say to him as he said to the twelve disciples, “You will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). He did not make him worthy of hearing such sayings. He did not see any miracle, or a dead person raised, or expelled demons, or an obedient sea. He did not mention anything to him about the kingdom, so where did he know the name of the kingdom?

The other thief was cursing him, so another thief was crucified with him, in order to fulfill the saying, “And he was numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). The ungrateful Jews tried to distort the glory of Christ and in every way they influenced the course of events. However, the truth was shining from every direction, and its splendor increased as the resistance against it increased.

The other thief was cursing him. One of the two evangelists said that the two thieves were mocking Christ, and this is a fact that increased the merit of the thief (the oath), as it was natural for him to mock first, but what he did after that was right, unlike the other who continued to mock him.

Have you seen the difference between a thief and a thief? Both of them hung on the cross, each of them was evil, and each of them lived a life of banditry, but their fate was not the same. The first inherited the kingdom, and the other was sent to hell. What happened yesterday is similar to what is happening today. There is a difference between a disciple and disciples. The first one arranged to deliver it and the others prepared for table service. The first said to the Pharisees, “What will you give me, and I will hand it over to you?” (Matthew 27:15), and the others said to Christ, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Matthew 26:17).

This is the situation here. One is a thief and the other is a thief, but the first curses and the other utters the testimony of faith. The first blasphemes and the second praises while he sees Christ crucified and nailed and the crowds below curse and cheer loudly. All of this did not prevent him from declaring what befits this glory, but he attacks the thief (left). Strongly, saying: “Do you not fear God?” (Luke 23:40-41).

3 - Did you see the audacity of the thief (the right) in expressing his opinion publicly? Did you see that he did not forget his first profession, so that by his confession (of Christ) he had also stolen the kingdom?

He said to the left thief: “Do you not fear God?” Did you see his courage, wisdom, and piety on the cross? Otherwise, he deserves your astonishment when you see him holding himself together despite his suffering on the cross? He deserves not only admiration, but also beatification, since he did not pay attention to his personal suffering, but rather turned away from it to care about the suffering of the other, the one who went astray. He became a teacher while he was on the cross, and he rebuked the left thief, saying, “Do you not fear God?” Not only that, but he said to him: Do not care about the earthly trial, or what they will decide, do not just look at what is happening now. There is another, unseen, impartial judge - without a doubt - on that court. Do not care about what is judged here (below), because there (above) the judgment is different. In the earthly court, many righteous people are condemned, and the condemned are left free. There are innocents who are accused, and the accused who flee. They treat some harshly and treat others gently. They are ignorant of the law and are deceived, or bribery corrupts their consciences, so they do not adhere to the truth and judge against the innocent. Up there in heaven things are not like that. God is a just judge, and His judgment shines like light, with no obscurity, concealment, or deception. How do you console this thief (the oath) so that he does not say that he was judged according to the laws of the earthly court? Direct his attention to the heavenly court, to the fearful pulpit, to the just judgment, and to the judge who is not misled. Remind him of the fearful judgment. Tell him: Look to these heavenly facts and do not care about the decision of the earthly judgment and do not adopt the position of the earthly people, but marvel and contemplate the judgment issued from above. .

The thief (right) said to the thief on the left: “Don’t you fear God?” Did you see his education? He took one leap from the cross to heaven. See him fulfilling the apostolic law and not only thinking about himself, but thinking and doing everything he could for the sake of others, to the point that he wanted to save the other thief from error and guide him to the knowledge of the truth.

After he asked him, “Do you not fear God?” He followed his question by saying, “We are under the same jurisdiction.” What a perfect admission. What does it mean that we are under the same jurisdiction?! Of course we are under punishment. And here we are, indeed, being punished by the cross. Whoever insults others insults himself first. Because whoever is actually wrong and condemns others, condemns himself first. Whoever is in a calamity and reproaches another for his ordeal, reproaches himself first.

In his saying, “We are under the same judgment,” it is as if he is repeating the Apostolic law and the Gospel sayings, “Do not judge, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

“We are under the same jurisdiction” (What do you say, thief?) or What do you do? By saying this, did you make yourself and the other thief partners with Christ? No - says the thief - I will correct my words in this way: We will be rewarded justly (Luke 23:41).

Have you ever seen a more perfect confession than this on the cross? Did you see how his confessions forgave his sins? Did you see how he completed the prophetic saying, “Confess your sins first, that you may be justified” (Isaiah 43:26). No one forced him, and no one accused him of what he said. Rather, he was complaining to himself, and that is why he acknowledged, saying, “As for us, our punishment is just, because we receive what our deeds deserve. As for him, And he did no evil” (Luke 23:41).

Have you seen a deeper piety than this? When he condemned himself, when he was not ashamed to reveal his depths, and when he defended the Master, saying: “As for us, our punishment is just...but he did no evil.”

When he did this, he was able to pray, “Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.” He did not dare to say, “Remember me in your kingdom,” until after he confessed and his soul was cleansed of sins, and after he condemned himself, the judgments that condemned him were lifted.

Have you seen the power of confession? So listen, beloved, and be encouraged and do not despair. Rather, you must realize the extent of God’s love for mankind, which cannot be expressed, and hasten to correct your sins.

Because if He considered the thief on the cross worthy of that honor, how much more will He consider us - if we have the will to confess our sins - worthy of His love. Let us confess our sins and not be ashamed of them. Great is the power of confessing sins, and great is His power. As soon as the thief confessed, Paradise was opened for him. He confessed and gained great courage and perseverance, so much so that even though he was a thief, he sought the Kingdom. Yes, only at that moment was he able to seek the kingdom.

Seventh: The cross is a symbol of the kingdom of heaven

How do you remember the kingdom of heaven, you thief? Tell me, do you see someone similar to him now? What is visible to the eye are the nails, the cross, the accusations, the mockery, and the insults.

Yes, he says: The cross is a symbol of the kingdom of heaven. That is why I call the one who was crucified a king. As a king, as he died for his subjects, he said about himself that he was “the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Truly, the good king lays down his life for his subjects. And because He truly humbled Himself for this, I call Him King. He chanted, “Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.”

4 - Do you want to know how the cross is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven? What are its meanings? Christ did not leave the cross on earth, but rather took it and ascended with him to heaven. Where did you get that? Because He will bring it with Him at the Second Coming.

But let us see how he will bring the cross with him and let us hear the words of Christ, “If it is said to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness, do not go out; behold, he is in the chambers,’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:26), for he speaks of his second coming, referring to false Christs and false prophets, and to the Antichrist, so that Let no one go astray and fall into his hands. Because the Antichrist will come before Christ (in his second coming) and he told us that so that no one will fall between the fangs of the wolf while searching for the shepherd (Christ). I am telling you this so that you can recognize the signs of the shepherd’s presence. If it was his first presence (3) It happened in a hidden way, so do not think that his second coming will be like this. His first presence was hidden, because he came to seek and search for the lost, but his second coming will not be like that. but how? “Just as the lightning comes from the east and shows to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27) will appear to everyone together. There is no longer any need to wonder (whether Christ is here or there). Just as we do not need to wonder when lightning occurs, so when he comes we will not need to know whether Christ has come or not.

Now we are talking about that he will bring the cross with him. So I hear what he said clearly: Then, when I come, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, because the splendor of the light will be so great, that the light of the great shining stars will be hidden by that light, and then the stars will fall and the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky (Matthew 24:29-30).

Eighth: The sign of the cross

Did you see the superiority of the sign (the cross), how cheerful it is? How bright is it? The sun is darkened, the moon does not appear, the stars fall, and as for that sign (the cross), it appears alone, so that you know that its light is stronger than the sun and brighter than the moon. Just as the soldiers greet the king when he enters the city with banners carried on their shoulders, announcing his entry, so the angels and archangels carry that sign when the Lord descends from heaven, announcing his royal entry to us (to mankind). “Then the powers of the heavens will be shaken,” meaning the angels, archangels, and all the invisible powers. This will be filled with fear and terror, so can you tell me why? Because that judgment will be terrible, as all of human nature will be judged and questioned about its responsibility before the terrifying pulpit.

But why are the angels afraid then, and why are the incorporeal forces terrified? As long as she won't be prosecuted. For just as when the earthly judge sits high on the pulpit in judgment, not only the guilty but also the guards tremble at him, not from remorse but from fear of the judge, so when our (human) nature will be present in judgment and give account of its errors, the angels and the rest of the powers will be terrified. Not because of her bad conscience, but because of her fear of the judge

Ninth: He will come carrying the cross and surgeries

Now that we know this, let us know why the cross will appear? Why would Christ bring him with him? Know that the reason is for those who crucified him to know the extent of their ingratitude, as the cross shows their insolence. And listen to the evangelist who said, and know why he carries his cross with him, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn” (Matthew 24:30). The peoples of the earth will mourn because they will see the One who was condemned (because of them) and will become aware of their sin.

Why are you surprised that Christ will come carrying the cross? He will also come bearing his wounds. How can we infer that he will come bearing his wounds? Listen to the prophet when he said, “For they will look on him whom they pierced” (Revelation 1:7). Just as he did with Thomas the disciple when he wanted to correct his lack of faith, he showed him the places of the nails and these wounds, saying, “Put your finger here and see my hand, and bring your hand and put it in my side; for a spirit has neither flesh nor bone” (John 20:27; Luke 24:39), in order to confirm To him he had done the truth. Thus, He will come (at that time) with His wounds and His cross with Him to prove to everyone that He is the one who was crucified. How great is his righteousness and salvation through the cross. It is clear evidence of God's love for humanity.

Tenth: Praying for enemies: love and forgiveness

5 - However, his indescribable love for humanity was seen not only in the cross, but also in the words he spoke on the cross.

Listen to these words. When he was on the cross subjected to mockery, ridicule, and insult, he said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Have you seen the Lord's love for mankind? He was crucified, but he prayed for his crucifiers, but these people were mocking him, saying, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40). As for him, he did not come down from the cross because he is the Son of God, and for this reason he came to be crucified for us.

They said: “Come down from the cross so that we may see and believe in you.”

Have you seen the absurdity of the statements and arguments for lack of faith? He did something greater than coming down from the cross, but they did not believe, and now they say, “Come down from the cross so that we may believe in you.”

The resurrection from the dead while the grave was sealed was greater than the descent from the cross. The resurrection of Lazarus from the grave after four days, while he was wrapped in shrouds, was greater than the coming down from the cross.

Have you seen the ridiculous talk, have you seen the arrogant obsession? But please pay close attention to see that God's love for humanity is great. And Christ took their insult to Him as a reason to forgive them, when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they were not satisfied with this, but they were saying, “If you are the Son of God, save yourself.” As for him, he did everything to save his reproaches and his accusers, and he said: “Forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

So what happened? Were their sins forgiven? Yes, the sins of everyone who wanted to repent were forgiven. For if he had not forgiven them their sin, Paul would not have become an apostle, and if he had not forgiven them their sin, the three thousand and five thousand would not have believed in him immediately, and tens of thousands of Jews after that. So listen to what the disciples were saying to Paul (Acts 21:20): “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed...”

Eleventh: Imitation of Christ

I hope, my beloved ones, that we imitate him. Yes, we imitate the Lord, and let us pray for our enemies. Although I advised you to do this thing yesterday, I repeat the advice now. As long as you know the greatness of this virtue, then imitate your master, because when he was crucified, he prayed for those who were crucified.

You may ask: How can I imitate Christ? I know that you can do that if you want. If you were not able to imitate him, he would not have said, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). And if a person was not able to imitate him, the Apostle Paul would not have said, “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:29). If you do not want to imitate the Master, imitate his servant, and I mean Stephen, who was the first to be martyred. He imitated Christ. The Lord, while he was crucified between the two thieves, interceded with the Father on behalf of those who crucified Him. This is how Stephen, his servant, was among those stoned and stoned by everyone. He endured the stoning and did not care about the pain it caused and said, “Lord, do not commit this sin to them” (Acts 7:59).

Have you seen how the son speaks? Have you seen how the servant prays? The son said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And his servant Stephen said, “Lord, do not commit this sin to them.” I also know that he did not pray while standing, but rather knelt down and prayed with fervor and great reverence.

Do you want me to show you another human being who prayed a great prayer for his enemies? I hear the blessed Paul saying, “Five times I received forty stripes minus one from the Jews: three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, day and night I was in the deep” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25). Despite this, he said, “For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3).

Would you like me to show you others from the Old Testament, not from the New Testament, who do the same thing? And they deserve all appreciation, since the commandment to love enemies had not yet been given to them. Rather, they had the commandment of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and to repay evil for evil. But they reached the stature of the path of the apostles. I hear what Moses said when the Jews were about to stone him: “Now if you forgive their sin, if not, blot me out.” From your book which you wrote” (Exodus 32:32).

Did you see how each of these righteous people was concerned with the salvation of others before his own salvation?! Let us ask any one of them, if you have not sinned, why do you want to participate with them in retribution? His answer will be, “I am never happy when others suffer.”

And you will find others who did this? I give these examples in order to reform ourselves and to eradicate this malignant disease, which is the hatred of enemies, from within us.

Jesus Christ says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Stephen says, “Lord, do not commit this sin to them.” And the Apostle Paul says, “I wish I myself were deprived of Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” And Moses says, “And now If you forgive their sin, otherwise erase me from your book that you wrote.”

So tell me, what forgiveness will we receive if the Master and his servants in the Old and New Testaments all urge us to pray for our enemies, while we do the opposite and pray against them? What I hope is that you do not neglect this because the more models we must emulate, the greater our torment will be if we do not imitate them.

Praying for enemies is a higher stage than praying for loved ones. Because the second does not cost us as much as the first: “If you love those who love you, what credit have you?” If we pray for loved ones, we will be no better than the Gentiles and tax collectors. But if we love our enemies, we become like God as much as our human nature allows, for God “makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

As long as we have examples of what Christ and his servants did, let us imitate them, and acquire this virtue, so that we may be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, always ready to approach with greater diligence and with a completely pure conscience to the majestic table, and to enjoy the good things that the Lord has promised us. By the grace of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, and His love for humanity, to whom belong glory and honor with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Now and at all times and for ever and ever. Amen.

Second sermon

First: Death is slumber.

1 - I have been asked many times why our ancestors left the churches in the cities and recommended that we gather today (4) Here in churches outside the city. I do not think they did this without a reason, so I worked hard to find the reason and discovered, by the grace of God, that this arrangement is sound, right, and in keeping with this Eid. (5).

Well, what is the reason?

We celebrate the cross. The Lord was crucified outside the city, so they took us outside the city. Because he says: The sheep follow the shepherd, and where the king is, there are the leaders and soldiers. That is why we are now meeting outside the city. But it is better to see this from the scriptures. So that you do not think that this thought is mine, I present to you the Apostle Paul as a witness. Well, what does Paul say about sacrifices? “The bodies of the animals whose blood is brought for sin into the sanctuary by the high priest are burned outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:11), so in order for Christ to cleanse the world with his blood, he was crucified outside the city gates. So, I wish we would come to Christ and meet him outside the city, bearing the shame that he accepted. Paul urged us to submit to him and come to him outside the camp. So we meet outside. But for what reason do we gather in this place, “the Monument of Martyrdom?” (6) And not in another place, since our city, by the grace of God, is surrounded on all sides by the bones of the saints? Therefore, why did our ancestors select this particular place for us to come to and not somewhere else? Because there are many dead people resting here and also because Christ descended to death on this day, so we gather in this place and for this reason also this place where the dead are buried was called a resting place, so that you know that those who died and were buried here did not actually die but rather fell asleep and rested. Because death was called death before the coming of Christ: “For in the day that you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:7), and in another place “The soul that sins will die” (Psalm 18:20). Also, “the evil that kills the wicked” (Psalm 34:21), and “precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). It was said about him not only death but also an abyss. Listen to what David said: “God will redeem my soul from the grip of Sheol when it snatched me away” (Psalm 49:16), and Jacob also said: “You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol” (Genesis 42:38).

This is how the end of our lives was described with such descriptions, before the coming of Christ. But when Christ came and died so that the world might live, death ceased to be called death, and began to be called sleep and slumber. This is what Christ said: “Our beloved Lazarus has fallen asleep” (John 11:11). He did not say he died, even though he was dead. And in order for you to understand how this name “sleep” was a name that had another meaning unknown at the time, the disciples did not understand the words of Christ and said: “If he has slept, he will be healed” (John 11:12), and Paul also says: “So those who have fallen asleep in Christ They also perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, then we are of all people most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:18-19). He also says about the dead: “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep” (Thessalonians 4:15).

And also: “Awake, O sleeper” (Ephesians 5:14). In order for us to know what he is saying about the dead, he adds: “Arise from the dead.” Note that death is always called sleep. Therefore, this place where the martyrs are buried is called a “shrine.”

So, this word “shrine” is educational and refers to the depth of our knowledge and faith. Therefore, when you carry a deceased person beloved to you to this place, do not be sad because you are not carrying him to death, but to the “shrine.” This word is enough to console you in the loss of your loved one.

Where will you take him?

To the shrine!

When will you make it a funeral?

After the “death” of Christ, the thorns of death were broken.

This is how you can find great comfort in this place. These sayings are very suitable for women, as they are affected and feel more sad. So you have a good medicine for your grief. I mean, I call this place “the shrine,” so we are gathered here today.

Second: Conqueror of death

2 - Today the Lord passes through the abyss. Today he smashes the copper doors and their iron barricades. Notice the accuracy, he did not say opening the doors but “breaking in pieces the brass gates” (Psalm 107:16). He did not remove the barricades but crushing them in order to abolish the prison.

Who can do anything before the power of Christ? Who will correct what God has destroyed?

When kings liberate prisoners, they do not do what Christ did, but they give orders to free the prisoners and keep the doors and guards, thus showing the possibility that this prison will be used again to enter - if necessary - those who were freed by the king’s order or others in their place. But Christ does not work that way. He crushed the brass doors, intending to abolish death. He called it “copper” to show how solid it is and how easy it is to dissolve death. So that you know that brass and iron indicate solidity, listen to what God says to an impudent person:

“Because I know that you are hard, and your neck is made of iron, and your forehead is brass” (Isaiah 48:4). He expressed this way not because he had muscles of iron or a forehead of brass, but because he wanted to refer to him as strict, impudent, and cruel.

Do you want to know how cruel, painful and pitiless death is?

No one defeated him and was freed from him, until the Lord of angels came and defeated him. Well, the Lord first took Satan, imprisoned him, and defeated him. Therefore it is written, “And I will give you the treasures of darkness and the treasures of secret places” (Isaiah 45:3). Although he referred to one place (darkness), it has a dual significance. There are dark places, but they can become bright if we put lamps in them. The places of the abyss were very dark and painful and the rays of light never entered them, so they are described as dark and invisible. It was dark until the moment when righteousness came down and illuminated the abyss with his light, making it heaven. Because where Christ is present, the place turns into heaven. Well, this place was called “the relics of darkness,” because there is abundant wealth in it. Because the entire human race, which is God's wealth (relics), was stolen by Satan, who deceived the first man and enslaved him to death. The fact that the human race represents the riches of God was pointed out by Paul when he said: “For one Lord of all is rich to all who call upon Him” (Romans 10:12). Like a thief, he stole the city, plundered it, and hid in a cave, placing all the valuables in it. The king arrested him and then handed him over for punishment and transferred his treasures to the royal storerooms. This is what Christ did. With his death, he imprisoned and bound the thief, that is, Satan and death, and transferred the treasures, meaning the human race, to the royal treasuries. This is what the Apostle Paul declares when he says: “Who saved us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). The most important thing is that the King of Kings (Christ) was preoccupied with this event, at a time when no other king would agree to do this matter, but was content with giving an order to his servants to free the prisoners. But - as we said - such a thing does not happen here. Rather, the King of Kings himself came to the prisoners, and he was not ashamed of either the prison or the prisoners. Because it was impossible for him to be ashamed of his creation. He smashed the doors, dissolved the barricades, and imposed his sovereignty over the abyss. The tyrant was taken prisoner and the strong man was bound. Death himself laid down his weapons and hurried in surrender and declared his obedience to the king.

Have you seen the admirable victory?

Have you seen the feats of the cross?

Shall I tell you something else admirable?

If you knew by what means Christ was victorious, your admiration would become greater. With the same weapons that Satan defeated man, Christ defeated him. And listen how? virgin (7) A tree and death are symbols of our defeat. The virgin was Eve, because she did not know her husband. The wood was the tree (from which God commanded Adam not to eat) and death was Adam's punishment. But the Virgin, the wood, and death, which were symbols of our defeat, became symbols of victory. Because we have the Virgin Mary instead of Eve, we have the wood of the cross instead of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we have the death of Christ instead of the death of Adam. Did you see that Satan was defeated with the same weapons that he used in the past?!!

Satan fought Adam and defeated him near the tree, and Christ defeated Satan on the wood of the cross.

The first tree led humans to hell, while the second carried them from the abyss to life.

Also, the first tree hid the prisoner because he was naked, but the second showed him openly to everyone, that is, the victorious Christ, who was naked and hanging above it.

Also, the first death condemned all those born after it, while the second, that is, the death of Christ, resurrected those who lived before Christ: “Who can describe in words the power of the Lord” (Psalm 106:2x). We were dead and now we are alive.

These are the deeds of the cross. Did you know this victory?! Did you know how it was achieved? Now see how effortlessly you achieved it. Our weapons were not stained with blood, we did not line up in battle, we were not wounded, and we did not participate in any battle, but we were victorious. The Lord fought and we took the crowns. Because victory is ours, let us all sing the song of victory today: “Where is your sting, O death? Where is your victory, O Hades?” (Hosea 14:13, Echo 15:54-55).

This is what the cross achieved for us.

The cross, which is a symbol of victory over demons, is a knife against sin, and a sword with which Christ stabbed the serpent.

The cross is the will of the Father, the adornment of the angels,

The guarantee of the Church, the pride of the Apostle Paul,

Protector of the saints, light of all the inhabited.

Because just as a person expels darkness from his home when he lights a lamp and raises it high, so Christ lit the cross as a lamp and raised it high, to dispel all the darkness that was covering the earth.

Creation was terrified when it saw Him hanging on the cross, and the earth quaked and the rocks split. Although the rocks were cracked, the Jews' feelings remained unchanged. The veil of the temple was torn, but their immoral agreement was not dissolved.

Why was the veil of the temple torn? Because the temple could not bear to see the Lord crucified. It is as if the temple is speaking to us and advising us: Whoever wants to enter the Holy of Holies, let him enter freely. For what use is this barrier, as long as the sacrifice is offered outside? What benefit can the law provide? There is no benefit, as I have repeatedly taught you. This is what the Prophet David taught when he said: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples think of vanity” (Psalm 2:1). They heard: “He is led like a lamb to the slaughter, and like a ewe that is silent before her shearers, he has not opened his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). While they had studied this prophecy for many times, after it was fulfilled they did not believe in it. Did you see that they thought wrongly? Therefore, the veil of the temple was rent in the middle, and thus he foretold the time of its devastation, which was about to come after these events.

Third: How should we approach the secret of divine communion?

3 - So, because tonight we have to see the Lord hanging on the cross like a slain lamb, I ask you to approach Him with fear and piety. Did you not see how the angels stood in front of the tomb, while the body of Christ was not found in it, but was empty? But because the body of the Lord had already been placed in it, they gave it all respect and reverence. The angels who are greater than us stood with respect and reverence before the empty tomb, while we who stand before the holy table on which the Lamb is placed act with noise and uproar? How then do we obtain forgiveness?!! I see many people tonight making a noise, shouting, jostling each other, fighting, cursing, and bringing on themselves more punishment than salvation. So I speak about these things for their salvation.

What are you doing, human? When you stand in front of the Holy Table, and the priest raises his hands to heaven, calling on the Holy Spirit to descend and sanctify the offerings on the table, we must be calm and still. When the grace of the Holy Spirit comes and descends and sanctifies the offerings, when you see the lamb that was slain and broken, do you make noise, disturbance, quarrels, and insults? How can you enjoy this sacrifice when you are presented to this table in an annoying way? Is it not enough that we are sinners and participate in this sacrifice and do not then want to get rid of our sins? Because how do we keep ourselves away from sins when we quarrel, lose our calm, and annoy each other?

Tell me, why do you rush and crowd others when you see the slaughtered lamb? Why, if you keep your fast all night long, does this make you tired? You have waited persistently all day, and most of the night has passed, and at this moment you are making your toil in vain?

You should be aware of what is happening in front of you and for what reason?

Christ was sacrificed for you and you ignore him while you see him slaughtered, even though it was said: “Where the corpse is, there the eagles will gather” (Matthew 24:28). We have to understand like vultures, what is this that has flowed?

It is the blood that erased the document on which our sins were written, blood that purifies the soul,

Blood washes away the filth of sin, blood that conquers the powers and rulers of evil.

Because he says: “When he stripped away the principalities and powers, and made them known publicly, triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). Just as the memorial (of kings) is decorated with tools and weapons of victory. The spoils were hung high above the cross. Because like a great king who won a great battle, he places above the monument, in a high place: the shield, the shield, and the enemy’s weapons. Likewise, Christ, when he defeated Satan, hung high on the cross - like a monument - the weapons of Satan, that is, death and curse, so that everyone could see this monument. : The angelic forces that are in the heavens, the humans that are on earth, and the evil demons that have been defeated, everyone sees it.

I wish we could prove with all our ability that we are worthy of these good things that Christ has given us, so that we may gain the heavenly kingdom through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory and honor from now and forever and ever, Amen.

(1) Side headings and paragraph division from the translator’s position.

(2) Perhaps he means the smoke resulting from sacrificial offerings and incense.

(3) Incarnation.

(4) means Good Friday.

(5) He means celebrating the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday, and it took place in the time of Chrysostom outside the city.

(6) Churches were built over the graves of martyrs.

(7) Here Chrysostom refers to Eve, who was deceived by the serpent, by the word virgin.