Concerning the Descent to Hades

The soul²²⁴⁵ when it was deified descended into Hades, in order that, just as the Sun of Righteousness²²⁴⁶ rose for those upon the earth, so likewise He might bring light to those who sit under the earth in darkness and shadow of death²²⁴⁷ : 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 blind²²⁴⁸ , and became to those who believed the Author of everlasting salvation and to those who did not believe a reproach of their unbelief²²⁴⁹ , so He might become the same to those in Hades²²⁵⁰ : That every knee should bow to Him, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth²²⁵¹ . 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.