INTROIT
Apoc 5:12; 1:6
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
Ps 71:1
O God, with Your judgment endow the King and with Your justice, the King’s son.
Glory Be to the Father…
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
COLLECT
Almighty and eternal God, Who willed to restore all things in Your beloved Son, the King of the Universe, graciously grant that the peoples of the earth torn asunder by the wound of sin, may submit to His most gentle rule.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…
EPISTLE
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
Col 1:12-20.
Brethren: We give thanks to God the Father Who has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the remission of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For in Him were created all things in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether Thrones, or Dominations, or Principalities, or Powers. All things have been created through and unto Him, and He is before all creatures, and in Him all things hold together. Again, He is the head of the body, the Church; He, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the first place. For it has pleased God the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell and that through Him He should reconcile to Himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the blood of His Cross, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL
Ps 71:8, 11
He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
℣. All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him. Alleluia, alleluia.
Dan. 7:14
℣. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away: and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to John
John 18:33-37
At that time, Pilate said to Jesus, Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, Do you say this of yourself, or have others told you of Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would certainly have fought that I might not be delivered to the Hebrews. But, as it is, My kingdom is not from here. Pilate therefore said to Him, You are then a King? Jesus answered, You say it: I am a King. This is why I was born, and why I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.
OFFERTORY
Ps 2:8
Ask of Me and I will give You the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possession.
SECRET
O Lord, we offer You this sacrificial Victim of mankind’s reconciliation with You; grant, we beseech You, that our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Whom we offer in this sacrifice, may bestow upon all peoples the gifts of unity and peace.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…
PREFACE
Christ the King
It is meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: Who didst anoint, with the oil of gladness, Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be the eternal Priest and King of the universe; that by offering Himself a spotless Victim and peace-offering on the altar of the Cross, He might accomplish the mysteries of man’s redemption, and that having subjected all creatures to His dominion, He might present to Thine infinite Majesty an everlasting and universal Kingdom; a kingdom of truth and life; and kingdom of holiness and grace; a kingdom of justice, love, and peace. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
COMMUNION
Ps 28:10-11
The Lord is enthroned as King forever; may the Lord bless His people with peace!
POSTCOMMUNION
We have received the food of eternal life, and we beseech You, O Lord, that we who are proud to serve under the flag of Christ the King may forever reign with Him in the Kingdom of heaven.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…