Common of Saints Confessors

Of Confessors in General

Antiphons for the Psalms at Matins and Evensong

He gave you a mouth and wisdom,  * which all your adversaries were not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, * and in breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, * and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, * they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. * For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers.

Of a Confessor and Bishop

The Collect.

Almighty and everlasting God, who makest us to  rejoice this day in the feast of thy blessed confessor and bishop N., we humbly pray thy mercy, that through the  holy prayers of him whose feast we devoutly venerate, we 

may be made meet to obtain the recompense of eternal life. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson. Ecclus. 1. (4, 1,5, 6-12, 15, 23.)

Behold a high priest who in his life cared for his people, and delivered them from destruction. He repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple: he enlarged the state and gained glory. How was he honoured in the midst of the people. He stretched out his hands to the cup, and poured out a sweet-smelling savour unto the Most High King of all. And he bowed himself down to worship the second time, that he might receive a blessing from the Most High, Who dealeth with us according to His mercy. He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever.

The Gospels.  Matt. xxv. 14-23.

At that time Jesus spake to his disciples this parable, the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Or this

Matt. xxiv. 42-47.

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

The Common Of A Confessor And Doctor

The Collect.

Hear, O Lord, we beseech thee, the prayers which we offer unto thee on the feast of thy holy confessor and doctor N., and through the prayers of him who served thee give us the wisdom to seek the truth and grace of thee. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lessons.  Ecclus. xlvii. 7, 8, 9-11; xxiv. 1-4.

In all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him. He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs. He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might praise his holy name, and that the temple might sound from morning. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel. In the midst of the people shall she be exalted, and she shall be admired in the fulness of holiness: in the multitude of the elect she shall have honour, and amongst the blessed she shall be blessed.

Or this

Wisd. vii. 7-13.

Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out. All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them. I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches.

The Gospel. Matt. v. 13-19.

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The Ccommon Of A Confessor And Abbot

The Collect.

O God, who didst decorate with the grace of holiness thy blessed confessor and abbot N., make us like him/her to abound in good works, that we may be found  worthy to obtain from thee, the highest good, all that is expedient for us All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson. Ecclus. xxxix. 5-9.

The righteous will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins. When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation.

The Gospel. Luke xi. 33-36.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

The Common Of Any Confessor.

The Collect.

Give ear, Lord, to our prayers which we present unto thee on the feast of thy holy confessor N., that we who put not our trust in our own righteousness may be assisted by the prayers of him who was wellpleasing unto thee. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson. Wisdom x. 10-14.

The Lord guided the just in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours. In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich. She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all. When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit, And left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and the Lord our God gave him perpetual glory.

The Gospel. Mark xiii. 33-37.

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

The Common Of Many Confessors

The Collect. 

O God, who dost compass and protect us by the glorious confessions of thy holy confessors N. and N.grant unto us that we may both profit by their example, 

and also rejoice in their intercession. Through Jesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghoast one God unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Epistle. Heb. vii. 23-27.

Brethren, they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

The Gospels. Luke xii. 35-40.

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Or this

Matt. x. 5-8.

At that time Jesus sent forth his twelve disciples, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.