Greater Doube, Simple – Red
Saint Stephen was among the first Deacons appointed by the Apostles, as attested in the Book of Acts, and is often considered to be the first such Deacon appointed. Though his teachings were challenged by the Jewish authorities, he always won in debate. Thus he was brought before the Sanhedrin and again challenged. He rebuked them, and so they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Thus his symbols of martyrdom are three stones and a palm leaf. The three stones, sitting underneath an ombrellino, are featured within the Patriarchal coat of arms of the See of St. Stephen, of whom he is the celestial Patron.
INTROIT Ps. 118. 23, 86
PRINCES sat, and spoke against me: and the wicked persecuted me: help me, O Lord my God, for thy servant was employed in thy justifications. Ps. 118. 1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be.
COLLECT
GRANT us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies: for we celebrate the heavenly birthday of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of Saint John
OF thy goodness, O Lord, shine upon thy Church, that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, thine Apostle and Evangelist, she may attain to everlasting gifts. Through.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of the Holy Innocents
O GOD, whose praise the martyred Innocents on this day confessed, not by speaking, but by dying: destroy in us all the evils of sin, that our life also may proclaim in deeds thy faith which our tongues profess. Through.
SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church
(as given after 29 December)
LESSON Acts 6. 8-10; 7. 54-59
IN those days Stephen, full of grace and fortitude did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there arose some, of that which is called the syna-gogue of the Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandri-ans and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen; and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke. Now, hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. And they crying out with a loud voice stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.
GRADUAL Ps. 118. 23, 86, 117
Princes sat, and spoke against me: and the wicked persecuted me. V. Help me, O Lord my God: save me for thy mercy's sake.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Acts 7.56.
I see the heavens opened, and Je-sus standing on the right hand of the power of God. Alleluia.
+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (23. 34-39)
AT that time Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees: Behold I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes, and some of them you will put to death and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: that upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not? Behold your house shall be left to you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see me henceforth, till you say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
OFFERTORY Acts 6.5; 7.59
The Apostles chose Stephen to be a levite, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost: whom the Jews stoned, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, alleluia.
SECRET
RECEIVE, O Lord, our gifts, in commemoration of thy Saints: that as suffering made them glorious, so our devotion may render us innocent. Through.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of Saint John
RECEIVE, O Lord, the gifts we bring to thee on the feast of him, by whose pleading we hope to be delivered. Through.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of the Holy Innocents
LET not the loving prayer of thy Saints fail us, O Lord: may it render our offerings pleasing to thee, and ever obtain for us thy pardon. Through.
SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church
(as given after 29 December)
COMMUNION Acts 7. 56, 59, 60
I see the heavens opened, and Je-sus standing on the right hand of the power of God: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin to their charge.
POSTCOMMUNION
MAY the mysteries we have received, O Lord, help us, and through the intercession of blessed Stephen, thy Martyr, establish us by thine everlasting protection. Through.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of Saint John
WE who have been refreshed by heavenly food and drink, humbly entreat thee, O our God, that we may be strengthened also by the prayers of him, in whose commemoration we have received them. Through.
COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave of the Holy Innocents
WE have partaken, O Lord, of these votive gifts: grant, we beseech thee, that by the prayers of the Saints they may procure aid for us both in this life in that which is to come. Through.
SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church
(as given after 29 December)
No comments:
Post a Comment