Christ’s Descent Described in Liturgy
While Scripture is our primary source, scripture grew out of tradition and so did the liturgies of the church. The liturgies of the Eastern Church from ancient to current times, have much to say about Jesus’ descent and serve to strengthen the doctrine. In fact, Christ’s descent into Hades is mentioned more than fifty times in the services of Good Friday and Great Saturday, more than two hundred times during the Pentecost period, and more than one hundred and fifty times in the Sunday and festal hymns throughout the church year.
One core text is from the Easter matins, attributed to John Chrysostom, an archbishop of Constantinople:
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| John Chrysostom |
Let no one fear death: for the Saviour’s death has freed us. By enduring it he quenched it. he who descended into hell has despoiled hell. He embittered it when it tasted his flesh as Isaiah proclaimed in prophecy, “Death”, he said, “was embittered when it met you there below.” Embittered, for it was destroyed. Embittered, for it was mocked. Embittered, for it was slain. Embittered for it was wiped out. Embittered, for it was bound fast. It received a body, and came face to face with God. It received what it saw, and fell through what it did not see. Death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory? Christ has risen and you are abolished! Christ has risen and the demons have fallen! Christ has risen and Angles rejoice! Christ has risen, and life has found freedom! Christ has risen, and there is not a single corpse in the grave!
One of the notable aspects of nearly all of the prayers and hymns found in the liturgy is the furthering of the idea that Christ came to deliver everyone from hell. We see many references to this in the Octoechos, which is a liturgical text for use every day, repeated in an eight week cycle:
Hell was emptied and made helpless by the death of one man.
...who rose from the dead and emptied hell, wealthy before with many people...
Truly Christ is risen, granting those in hell life and resurrection.
When the Saviour went down as mortal to the prisoners, the dead from every age arose with Him...
There are a few exceptions, with some texts referring to “the pious” or “the righteous”, but none speak of them in exclusive terms or refer to Jesus leaving anyone behind purposely. The Orthodox doctrine has come to accept that Christ preached to all who were in hell and everyone was offered salvation. This idea does not always fit into our idea of justice or rewarding of the innocent and punishment of the guilty, but as one of the evening prayers states, “for to save a righteous man is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy or your mercy.” This brings to mind Matthew 5:46-48, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You must therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Yet, as we are creatures with a free will, there remains the possibility that some would reject his invitation, and those would remain.
Tomorrow: Things take a left turn with The Western Father's View! (Click here to go there)
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