Introit • Ps. 91, 13, 14
The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus: planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of God. (P.T.) Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 91, 2. It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Thy name, O Most High. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
o God, Who didst vouchsafe to call out of the desert blessed Felix, Thy confessor, unto the work of redeeming captives, grant, we beseech Thee, that, being through his intercession delivered by Thy grace from the captivity of our sins, we may be brought to our heavenly country. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 1 Cor. 4, 9-14
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.
[God’s ministers are not to be judged. He reprehends their boasting of their preachers and describes the treatment the apostles every where met with.]
BRETHREN, we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we without honour.
Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode; And we labour, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and we bless; we are persecuted, and we suffer it. We are blasphemed, and we entreat; we are made as the refuse of this world, the offscouring of all even until now. I write not these things to confound you; but I admonish you as my dearest children in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gradual • Ps. 36, 30, 31
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. The law of his God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 111, 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: in His commandments, he hath great delight. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 12, 32-34
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
[Christ warns us against hypocrisy, the fear of the world and covetousness. He admonishes all to watch.]
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. Sell what you possess, and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: Where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Offertory • Ps. 20, 2, 3
In thy strength, O Lord, the just shall joy, and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart’s desire. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Secret
Grant, us, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the offering of our lowliness may be pleasing to Thee in honor of Thy saints, and purify us in both body and mind. Through our Lord.
Communion • Matt. 19, 28-29
Amen I say to you, that you who have left all things and followed Me, shall receive a hundred-fold, and possess life everlasting. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
We pray Thee, O almighty God, that, having received heavenly nourishment, we may thereby, through the intercession of blessed Nicholas, Thy confessor, be fortified against all harm and danger. Through our Lord.