Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. IX:
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.: Concerning the Descent to Hades.

Chapter XXIX.—Concerning the Descent to Hades.

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 p. 73b 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.

Footnotes

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

Mal. iv. 2.

Is. ix. 2.

Isa. 61:1, Luke 4:19.

1 Pet. iii. 19.

Iren., iv. 45; Greg. Naz., Orat. 42.

Phil. ii. 10.