Christ is Risen!

On the Resurrection V - by St. Romanos the Melodist

Strophe 18: [Death comments to the Serpent (the Devil, also called the Enemy).] “‘It is because of you that I submit to all these things, since you are the cause of this defeat that has come to us,’ said Death to the wily Serpent. ‘Because of you, I have lost my kingdom. I said to you from the beginning: “Do not carry off Christ.” For I knew clearly the power in Him: There was the child of Jairus, which He snatched from me by His voice alone [Matt. 9:18]; And again, He dragged Lazarus from my chains [John 11:1-46]. [If] He has done deeds such as this to unfortunate me, how many more will He do, through the flesh, which He has assumed without change? He Who has destroyed the weapons of Belial, the victory of Hades and the sting of Death.’”

Strophe 19: [The Enemy (the Devil, the Serpent) replies to both Hades and Death.] “‘But it is to me that the Son of Mary has done more terrible things,’ said the Enemy… ‘Because as many as I humbled and consigned to bitter illness, these He has restored to health by His command. When I saw the man born blind(*) [John 9:1-38], I laughed. But the blind man came to Him, and - at once - give him vision by His command. But I supposed that if I killed Him, henceforth I would hold prisoners those whom I formerly flogged [with infirmities, both physical and mental]. And, wretch that I am, I did not know that He would end my power, He Who has destroyed the weapons of Belial, the victory of Hades and the sting of Death.’”

(*) - The blind man becomes a symbol of fallen man.