Christ’s Descent into Hades (The Harrowing of Hell)

Christ descends into Hades after his death, where the dead—from Adam, the patriarchs, and the prophets—are gathered in darkness awaiting redemption; they recall a promise that the Son of God would come to heal and raise humanity, while Satan and Hades debate his power and fear his arrival. A divine voice commands the gates to open, Christ enters as the King of glory, shatters the gates, binds Satan, and empties Hades by raising the dead, beginning with Adam, declaring restoration through the cross. He leads the righteous into Paradise, where figures like Enoch, Elijah, and the repentant thief testify, and the risen are sent to bear witness to the resurrection before departing.