The Introits, Collects, St. Sergius, Bl Lancelot Andrewes, St. Michael and All Angels

St. Sergius

(Abbot)

Sept. 25

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we give thee thanks for the purity and strength with which thou didst endow thy servant Sergius; and we pray that by thy grace we may have a like power to hallow and conform our souls and bodies, to the purpose of thy most holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lancelot Andrewes

(Bishop of Winchester)

Sept. 26

The Collect.

ETERNAL Lord God, who boldest all souls in life: We beseech thee to shed forth upon thy whole Church in paradise and on earth the bright beams of thy light and thy peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of thy servant Lancelot Andrewes, and of all those who loved and served thee here, may at the last enter with them into thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Michael and All Angels

Sept. 29

Antiphons for the Psalms at Matins and Evensong

1. An Angel stood at the altar of the Temple, * having a golden censer in his hand.

2. When the dragon had joined battle with Michael the Archangel: * the voice of thousands of thousands was heard, saying, Salvation to our God, alleluia.

3. The accuser of our brethren was cast down, * and they overcame him: therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell therein.

4. O ye Angels of the Lord, * bless ye the Lord for ever.

5. Angels, Archangels, Thrones and Dominions, Principalities and Powers, * Virtues of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, praise ye the Lord of heaven, alleluia.

1st Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

148 &150

The Readings

Dan. 12:1–3 & Rev. 5

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

While John beheld the sacred mystery, the Archangel Michael sounded the trumpet: * forgive us, O Lord our God, that openest the book, and loosest the seals thereof, Alleluia!

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

8 & 91

The Readings

Job 38:1–7 & Heb. 1:13–2:10

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Silence was kept in heaven when the dragon went forth to battle; * and Michael contended with him, and gained the victory, Alleluia!

Holy Communion

The Introit Psalm 113. Laudate, pueri.

PRAISE the LORD, ye servants; * O praise the Name of the LORD.
    2 Blessed be the Name of the LORD * from this time forth for evermore.
    3 The LORD’S Name is praised * from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.

    4 The LORD is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
    5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, that hath his dwelling so high, * and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth!
    6 He taketh up the simple out of the dust, * and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
    7 That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
    8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

The Collect.

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle. Rev. xii. 7.

THERE was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The Gradual Ps 148:1-3

    O PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in the heights.
    2 Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
    3 Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.

The Alleluia Ps 148:4

Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens. Alleluia!

The Gospel. St. Matt. xviii. 1.

AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

2nd Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

34

The Readings

2 Kings 6:8–17 & Acts 12:1–11

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Michael, Gabriel, Cherubim & Seraphim, are they who cease not to cry continually: * Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory & honor, Alleluia!