Although today's brief practice is a remnant of an older practice as noted earlier (and as extensively-discussed on the Greek side), it is also not in line with the ethos and the theology of the Paschal Resurrection. In fact, it can be considered blasphemous. Christ did not ask permission from Hades to raise the dead. Christ destroyed the gates of Hades, and trampled on death. In fact, just examining the hymnology of Holy Week (from the Canon of Andrew of Crete on the resurrection of Lazarus, to the stichira of Holy Saturday), Hades groans and suffers and is severly wounded. These images are more in line with a thrashing of Hades, not a polite exchange between Christ seeking Hades' permission. The hymnology is perfectly in line with Orthodox theology.
Having an enactment of a "king" (played by the parish priest or a bishop) asking permission from "Hades" to enter an empty church could be "endearing" to those faithful present, however, it is not in line with any of the post-Byzantine typika. The Paschal service rubrics in all post-Byzantine typika are clear on what takes place. Nowehere is this practice found. There is no evidence that the Ecumenical Patriarchate ever conducted this "show" at any time in its history. Although there is some evidence that this may have taken place in Jerusalem at some point, eventually it was dropped.
It takes a good deal of introspection and maturity for today's clergy (who implement this practice) to accept that this is wrong and not in line with theology. Many Orthodox bishops in the world specifically forbid this practice. Some post-modernists find it "endearing", aiming more for the show rather than the accepted traditions and the theology of the Apostolic traditions.
But, in our day when everything has been relativized, even Christ asking Hades for permission to raise the dead becomes....acceptable post-modernist "theology".
A blessed Holy Week and Pascha!
NG