Common of Saints Martyrs

Of Martyrs in General

Antiphons for the Psalms at Matins and Evensong

Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: * but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; * but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. * Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, * and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

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 Martyr

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst strengthen thy blessed martyr ___ with the virtue of constancy in faith and truth: Grant us in like manner for love of thee to despise the prosperity of this world, and to fear none of its adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 2 Esdras 2:42-48.

I ESDRAS saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs. And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly. So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these? He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God; now are they crowned, and receive palms. Then said I unto the angel. What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands? So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord. Then the angel thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God,. thou hast seen.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 10:16-22.

BEHOLD, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless. as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings. for my sake, for a witness to them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye-shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause-them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all mea for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Of A Martyr And Bishop

The Collect

O God, who hast sanctified unto us this joyful day for  the commemoration of thy blessed martyr and bishop, be favourable to the prayers of thy family, and grant that we may be succoured through the merits and intercession of him whose feast we celebrate to-day. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle Hebrews, v. 1-6.

Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.

The Gospel. Matt. ix. 35-38; x. 7, 8, 16.

At that time Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. 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. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Of Many Martyrs

The Collect 

of many martyrs not bishops.

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us so worthily to  venerate the merits of thy holy martyrs N. and N. that we may both be set free from present dangers, and be 

made meet for everlasting joys. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

of many martyrs and bishops.

 Almighty and everlasting God, who didst kindle the flame of thy love in the hearts of thy martyrs and bishops N. and N. grant unto our hearts the same force of faith 

and charity, that as we rejoice in their triumphs we may also profit by their examples. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson. Wisdom iii. 1-8.

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

Or

The Epistle. Hebrews xi. 33-39.

The Saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Gospel. . Luke vi. 17-23.

At that time Jesus came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven.