Introit • Dan 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 forever. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, who dost gladden us with the yearly festival of blessed Polycarp, Thy martyr and bishop, mercifully grant that, as we venerate his festival, we may also rejoice in his protection. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 1 John 3, 10-16
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed John the Apostle.
[Of the love of God to us. How we may distinguish the children of God and those of the devil. Of loving one another and of purity of conscience. ]
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. And hast set him over the works of Thy hands, O Lord.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. This is the priest whom the Lord hath crowned. Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 10, 26-32
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
[Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of miracles. The lessons he gives them.]
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 before 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 My arm shall strengthen him. Through our Lord.
Secret
Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts dedicated to Thee, and by the intercession of blessed Polycarp, Thy martyr and bishop, look upon them with approval. Through our Lord.
Communion • Ps. 20, 4
Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.
Postcommunion
Refreshed by participation in the sacred gift, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that, through the intercession of blessed Polycarp, Thy martyr and bishop, we may ever experience the effect of the worship we offer. Through our Lord.