A Meditation on the Tomb of Christ on the Holy Thursday before Pascha (whenever it falls on your calendar)
(from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
In the grave with the Body,
but in Hades with the soul as God;
In Paradise with the thief
and on the Throne with the Father and the Holy Spirit
were You, oh Christ:
filling all things,
Yourself unlimited.
As giving life,
as more splendid than Paradise,
and more radiant than any royal chamber,
oh Christ,
is shown forth Your tomb:
the fountain of our resurrection.
Here are two paraphrases by St Maximos the Confessor about the Cross and Tomb of Christ.
My paraphrases are based upon paragraphs 66 and 67, respectively, from his remarks in "First Century on Theology." These paragraphs can be found in volume 2 of the English translation of the Philokalia (ISBN 0-571-15466-2 ) page 127. My rewording of his remarks is not meant to change the meaning, but instead to render them into modern, understandable English.
[section 66] The one who understands the Incarnation understands creation and the Scriptures. The one who understands the Cross and Tomb understands the inner essence of all created things. And the one who begins to understand the Resurrection begins to gather the purpose for all creation.
[section 67] The sensing part of the mind needs the Cross, that is, detachment form all sensory experiences. The knowing part of the mind likewise needs the Tomb, that is, dispassion from all thinking, feeling and thoughts. And in that stillness and silence, the Eternal Word of God -- He alone Who Is-- appears as if Risen from the dead.
-- John
