The soul [2245] when it was deified descended into Hades, in order that, just as the Sun of Righteousness [2246] rose for those upon the earth, so likewise He might bring light to those who sit under the earth in darkness and shadow of death [2247] : in order that just as He brought the message of peace to those upon the earth, and of release to the prisoners, and of sight to the blind [2248] , and became to those who believed the Author of everlasting salvation and to those who did not believe a reproach of their unbelief [2249] , so He might become the same to those in Hades [2250] : That every knee should bow to Him, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth [2251] . And thus after He had freed those who had been bound for ages, straightway He rose again from the dead, shewing us the way of resurrection.

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Footnotes:

[2245] Cf. Ruf., Expos. Symbol. Apost.; Cassian, Contr. Nestor., bk. vi.; Cyril, Catech. 14.

[2246] Malachi 4:2.

[2247] Isaiah 9:2.

[2248] Isaiah 61:1; St. Luke 4:19.

[2249] 1 Pet. iii. 19.

[2250] Iren., iv. 45; Greg. Naz., Orat. 42.

[2251] Philippians 2:10.