Paragraph 1. Christ Descended into Hell

635 Christ went down into the depths of death so that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (John 5:25; cf. Matthew 12:40; Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:9) Jesus, the Author of life, by dying destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15; cf. Acts 3:15) Henceforth the risen Christ holds the keys of Death and Hades, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Revelation 1:18; Philippians 2:10)

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead.

Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday: PG 43, 440A, 452C; Liturgy of the Hours, Holy Saturday, OR.