Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free.  He that was taken by death has annihilated it!  He descended into hades and took hades captive!  He embittered it when it tasted his flesh!  And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, "Hades 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 purged!

It was embittered, for it was despoiled!  It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God!

It took earth and encountered heaven!

It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

-- St. John Chrysostom, Paschal Homily