Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume IX/John of Damascus/An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith/Book III/Chapter 29
Chapter XXIX.—Concerning the Descent to Hades.
The soul[1] when it was deified descended into Hades, in order that, just as the Sun of Righteousness[2] 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[3]: 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[4], and became to those who believed the Author of everlasting salvation and to those who did not believe a reproach of their unbelief[5], so He might become the same to those in Hades[6]: That every knee should bow to Him, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth[7]. 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.