bearing the images of good things. For your garment is bright and clear, portraying the symbols of immortality. A white linen cloth, A like a diadem, binds your head, proclaiming liberty. Your hand carries the signs of the victory won over the devil. For Christ has shown you raised up: now indeed by symbols, but a little later he will show it by the things themselves; if only we do not stain the tunic of faith with sins; if we do not extinguish the lamp of grace with improper actions; if we keep the crown of the Spirit. Then, the Lord will clearly cry out from the heavens with a terrible yet kind voice toward men: "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." To Him be the glory, and the power, for ever and ever. Amen. B
A SERMON OF OUR HOLY FATHER ATHANASIUS ON THE HOLY PASCHA AND ON THE NEWLY ILLUMINATED, ON THE SABBATH IN ALBIS
1. Christ, having risen from the dead, made the whole life of men one single festival. For having translated the conversation of those living on earth to heaven, He bestowed causes for celebrating. And a witness to these things is Paul, who possessed his tongue as an instrument of the words of Christ. "For our conversation," he says, "is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." For who, while waiting, does not celebrate in hope? Who, imagining in his mind the arrival C of the Savior, does not anticipate with joy the experience of the things themselves? And who, upon hearing of the future descent of a mortal king, does not lift up his mind and rejoice in his soul, anticipating in love the time of seeing him? Then the crowds are stirred, boys leap for joy, maidens dance, old men strive to cast off old age, brought back to the flower of youth by their hopes; and the celebration of the royal arrival pervades everything. What then would one say, Christ the immortal King arriving, not so that He might adorn cities and raise towers, D nor so that He might bestow gifts, which succumb to time; but so that He might...