5 interesting historical facts about Easter services
2. Oldest existing Easter sermon
Although Easter has been celebrated since the first century, the earliest recorded sermon for a church service comes from the second century, preached by St. Mileto of Sardis.
A bishop and early Christian apologist writer, Mileto reportedly preached his Easter homily circa 170, focusing his message on Isaiah 53:7, which Christians believe to be an Old Testament prophecy about Jesus.
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After the Lord had taken our humanity upon Himself, had suffered for the sake of the sufferer, had been bound for the sake of the imprisoned, had been judged for the sake of the condemned, and buried for the sake of all who were buried, He rose from the dead, and cried aloud with this voice: ‘Who is he who contends with me? Let him stand in opposition to me,’” Mileto said.
“‘I am your forgiveness, I am the Passover of your salvation, I am the Lamb which was sacrificed for you, I am your ransom, I am your light, I am your Savior, I am your resurrection, I am your king, I am leading you up to the heights of Heaven. I will show you the eternal Father and I will raise you up by my right hand.’”
