INTROIT
Sir 15:5
In the midst of the church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.
Glory Be to the Father…
In the midst of the church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory.
COLLECT
O God, Who willed to enlighten Your Church by the wondrous learning and glorious merits of the life of blessed Ephrem, Your Confessor and Doctor, we humbly pray You, that, by his pleading, You will shield her with Your lasting power against the snares of error and evil.
Through our Lord…
COMMEMORATION COLLECT
For SS. Mark and Marcellianus
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of Your holy Martyrs, Mark and Marcellianus, may by their intercession be delivered from all the evils that threaten us.
Through our Lord…
EPISTLE
Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy
2 Tim 4:1-8
Dearly beloved: I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.
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. Allelúja, allelúja.
Sir 45:9
And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, Allelúja.
GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 5:13-19
In that time, Jesus said to His disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
OFFERTORY
Ps 91:13
The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
SECRET
O Lord, may the loving prayer of blessed Ephrem, Your Confessor and Doctor, fail us not, both to make our gifts acceptable and ever to obtain for us Your forgiveness.
Through our Lord…
COMMEMORATION SECRET
For SS. Mark and Marcellianus
Sanctify the offerings dedicated to You, O Lord, and through the intercession of blessed Mark and Marcellianus, Your Martyrs, look upon us with mercy because of them.
Through our Lord…
PREFACE
Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION
Luke 12:42
The faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season.
POSTCOMMUNION
May blessed Ephrem, Your Confessor, and renowned Doctor, plead for us, so that the sacrifice we offer You may bring us salvation.
Through our Lord…
COMMEMORATION POSTCOMMUNION
For SS. Mark and Marcellianus
Refreshed by the sacramental gift of Your salvation, we humbly beseech You, O Lord, through the intercession of blessed Mark and Marcellianus, Your Martyrs, that, enjoying its savor, we may be made new by its action.
Through our Lord…