26 January 2015 - Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

Double – Red

Saint Polycarp was born in A.D. 80 and was the Bishop of Smyrna. His captors bound him to a stake and tried to burn him. Yet, the flames would not consume him. So, they stabbed him to death. 

INTROIT Daniel 3. 84, 87.

O YE priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God. Dan. 3.57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. V.: Glory be.

COLLECT

O GOD, who dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Polycarp, thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that we who celebrate his heavenly birthday, may also rejoice in his protection. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church and Of the B.V.M.
(As given after 29 December.)

EPISTLE I John 3. 10-16.

MOST dearly beloved: Whosoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother. For this is the declaration, which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother's just. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

GRADUAL Ps. 8. 6, 7

Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor. V.: And hast set him over the works of thy hands, O Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: This is the priest whom the Lord hath crowned. Alleluia.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (10. 26-32)

AT that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me be-fore men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

OFFERTORY Ps. 88. 21, 22.

I have found David my servant, with my holy oil I have anointed him; for my hand shall help him, and mine arm shall strengthen him.

SECRET

SANCTIFY, O Lord, the gifts dedicated to thee, and through them, by the intercession of blessed Polycarp, thy Martyr and Bishop, graciously regard us. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church and Of the B.V.M.
(As given after 29 December.)

COMMUNION Ps. 20. 4.

Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.

POSTCOMMUNION

MAY this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from guilt: and through the intercession of blessed Polycarp, thy Martyr and Bishop, may it make us sharers in the heavenly healing. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Against the Persecutors of the Church and Of the B.V.M.
(As given after 29 December.)