Wednesday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Wednesday after Pentecost

MORNING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. - PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22) 1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 139 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; * you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places * and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, * but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before * and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; * it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? * where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; * if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning * and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me * and your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, * and the light around me turn to night,” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; * darkness and light to you are both alike. For you yourself created my inmost parts; * you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; * your works are wonderful, and I know it well. My body was not hidden from you, * while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; * they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! * how great is the sum of them! If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; * to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours. Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! * You that thirst for blood, depart from me. They speak despitefully against you; * your enemies take your Name in vain. Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? * and do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with a perfect hatred; * they have become my own enemies. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; * try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me * and lead me in the way that is everlasting. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15) I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE FIRST LESSON: Prov. 17:1-20 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler. A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper. One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool. Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them. Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly. Evil will not depart from the house of one who returns evil for good. The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out. One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn? A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. It is senseless to give a pledge, to become surety for a neighbor. One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones. The crooked of mind do not prosper, and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity. THE SECOND LESSON: Matt. 12:43-50 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation." While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21) Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. - 3: THE APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. - 4: THE PRAYERS On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed. * That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day: THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 5: THE CONCLUSION CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711) To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  — EVENING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light. Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever. OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (O GRACIOUS LIGHT) O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 105 – Part 2 Israel came into Egypt, * and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham. The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; * he made them stronger than their enemies; Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, * and dealt unjustly with his servants. He sent Moses his servant, * and Aaron whom he had chosen. They worked his signs among them, * and portents in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and it grew dark; * but the Egyptians rebelled against his words. He turned their waters into blood * and caused their fish to die. Their land was overrun by frogs, * in the very chambers of their kings. He spoke, and there came swarms of insects * and gnats within all their borders. He gave them hailstones instead of rain, * and flames of fire throughout their land. He blasted their vines and their fig trees * and shattered every tree in their country. He spoke, and the locust came, * and young locusts without number, Which ate up all the green plants in their land * and devoured the fruit of their soil. He struck down the firstborn of their land, * the firstfruits of all their strength. He led out his people with silver and gold; * in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled. Egypt was glad of their going, * because they were afraid of them. He spread out a cloud for a covering * and a fire to give light in the night season. They asked, and quails appeared, * and he satisfied them with bread from heaven. He opened the rock, and water flowed, * so the river ran in the dry places. For God remembered his holy word * and Abraham his servant. So he led forth his people with gladness, * his chosen with shouts of joy. He gave his people the lands of the nations, * and they took the fruit of others’ toil, That they might keep his statutes * and observe his laws. Hallelujah! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1) 1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE LESSON: 1 Tim. 3:1-16 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way-- for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55) The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. - 3: THE PRAYERS To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise. * Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy. * You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.  * You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.  * You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy. * In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.  Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 4: THE CONCLUSION ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

Monday after Pentecost

MORNING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. - PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22) 1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities; He redeems your life from the grave and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness; He satisfies you with good things, and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed. He made his ways known to Moses and his works to the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the Lord care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, and his righteousness on children’s children; On those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments and do them. The Lord has set his throne in heaven, and his kingship has dominion over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15) I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE FIRST LESSON: Prov. 10:1-12 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother's grief. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. A child who gathers in summer is prudent, but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. THE SECOND LESSON: Matt. 12:22-32 Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons." He knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21) Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. - 3: THE APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. - 4: THE PRAYERS On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed. * That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day: THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 5: THE CONCLUSION CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711) To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  — EVENING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light. Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever. OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (O GRACIOUS LIGHT) O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 114 Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, Judah became God’s sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea beheld it and fled; Jordan turned and went back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep. What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? You mountains, that you skipped like rams? you little hills like young sheep? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring. Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; laud him, all you peoples. For his loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1) 1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE LESSON: 1 Tim. 1:1-17 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55) The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. - 3: THE PRAYERS To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise. * Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy. * You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.  * You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.  * You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy. * In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.  Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 4: THE CONCLUSION ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

Friday after the Seventh Sunday of Easter

MORNING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. - PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22) 1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 30 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up * and have not let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to you, * and you restored me to health. You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; * you restored my life as I was going down to the grave. Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; * give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness. For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, * his favor for a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, * but joy comes in the morning. While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. * You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.” Then you hid your face, * and I was filled with fear. I cried to you, O Lord; * I pleaded with the Lord, saying, “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? * will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; * O Lord, be my helper.” You have turned my wailing into dancing; * you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy. Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; * O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15) I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE FIRST LESSON: Jer. 31:27-34 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say: "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt-- a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. THE SECOND LESSON: Matt. 9:9-17 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21) Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. - 3: THE APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. - 4: THE PRAYERS On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed. * That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day: THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 5: THE CONCLUSION CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711) To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  — EVENING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light. Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever. OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (O GRACIOUS LIGHT) O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 107 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * and his mercy endures for ever. Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim * that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe. He gathered them out of the lands; * from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes; * they found no way to a city where they might dwell. They were hungry and thirsty; * their spirits languished within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress. He put their feet on a straight path * to go to a city where they might dwell. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children. For he satisfies the thirsty * and fills the hungry with good things. Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, * bound fast in misery and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God * and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; * they stumbled, and there was none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress. He led them out of darkness and deep gloom * and broke their bonds asunder. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children. For he shatters the doors of bronze * and breaks in two the iron bars. Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; * they were afflicted because of their sins. They abhorred all manner of food * and drew near to death’s door. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them * and saved them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children. Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving * and tell of his acts with shouts of joy. Some went down to the sea in ships * and plied their trade in deep waters; They beheld the works of the Lord * and his wonders in the deep. Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, * which tossed high the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; * their hearts melted because of their peril. They reeled and staggered like drunkards * and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper * and quieted the waves of the sea. Then were they glad because of the calm, * and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children. Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people * and praise him in the council of the elders. The Lord changed rivers into deserts, * and water-springs into thirsty ground, A fruitful land into salt flats, * because of the wickedness of those who dwell there. He changed deserts into pools of water * and dry land into water-springs. He settled the hungry there, * and they founded a city to dwell in. They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, * and brought in a fruitful harvest. He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; * he did not let their herds decrease. Yet when they were diminished and brought low, * through stress of adversity and sorrow, (He pours contempt on princes * and makes them wander in trackless wastes) He lifted up the poor out of misery * and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep. The upright will see this and rejoice, * but all wickedness will shut its mouth. Whoever is wise will ponder these things, * and consider well the mercies of the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1) 1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE LESSON: Eph. 5:1-20 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55) The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. - 3: THE PRAYERS To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise. * Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy. * You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.  * You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.  * You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy. * In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.  Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 4: THE CONCLUSION ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

Wednesday after the Seventh Sunday of Easter

MORNING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. - PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22) 1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 139 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; * you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places * and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, * but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before * and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; * it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? * where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; * if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning * and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me * and your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, * and the light around me turn to night,” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; * darkness and light to you are both alike. For you yourself created my inmost parts; * you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; * your works are wonderful, and I know it well. My body was not hidden from you, * while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; * they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! * how great is the sum of them! If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; * to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours. Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! * You that thirst for blood, depart from me. They speak despitefully against you; * your enemies take your Name in vain. Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? * and do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with a perfect hatred; * they have become my own enemies. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; * try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me * and lead me in the way that is everlasting. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15) I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE FIRST LESSON: Isa. 4:2-6 On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. THE SECOND LESSON: Matt. 8:28-34 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21) Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. - 3: THE APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. - 4: THE PRAYERS On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed. * That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day: THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 5: THE CONCLUSION CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711) To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  — EVENING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light. Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever. OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (O GRACIOUS LIGHT) O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 105 – Part 2 Israel came into Egypt, * and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham. The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; * he made them stronger than their enemies; Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, * and dealt unjustly with his servants. He sent Moses his servant, * and Aaron whom he had chosen. They worked his signs among them, * and portents in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and it grew dark; * but the Egyptians rebelled against his words. He turned their waters into blood * and caused their fish to die. Their land was overrun by frogs, * in the very chambers of their kings. He spoke, and there came swarms of insects * and gnats within all their borders. He gave them hailstones instead of rain, * and flames of fire throughout their land. He blasted their vines and their fig trees * and shattered every tree in their country. He spoke, and the locust came, * and young locusts without number, Which ate up all the green plants in their land * and devoured the fruit of their soil. He struck down the firstborn of their land, * the firstfruits of all their strength. He led out his people with silver and gold; * in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled. Egypt was glad of their going, * because they were afraid of them. He spread out a cloud for a covering * and a fire to give light in the night season. They asked, and quails appeared, * and he satisfied them with bread from heaven. He opened the rock, and water flowed, * so the river ran in the dry places. For God remembered his holy word * and Abraham his servant. So he led forth his people with gladness, * his chosen with shouts of joy. He gave his people the lands of the nations, * and they took the fruit of others’ toil, That they might keep his statutes * and observe his laws. Hallelujah! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1) 1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE LESSON: Eph. 4:1-16 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people." (When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55) The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. - 3: THE PRAYERS To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise. * Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy. * You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.  * You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.  * You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy. * In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.  Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 4: THE CONCLUSION ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

Monday after the Seventh Sunday of Easter

MORNING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. - PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22) 1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities; He redeems your life from the grave and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness; He satisfies you with good things, and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed. He made his ways known to Moses and his works to the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the Lord care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, and his righteousness on children’s children; On those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments and do them. The Lord has set his throne in heaven, and his kingship has dominion over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (FROM EXODUS 15) I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE FIRST LESSON: Joshua 1:1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, "My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." THE SECOND LESSON: Matt. 8:5-17 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour. When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE BENEDICTUS (ISAIAH 43. 15-21) Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia. - 3: THE APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. - 4: THE PRAYERS On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed. * That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. * That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day: THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 5: THE CONCLUSION CONCLUDING ASCRIPTION (BY THOMAS KEN 1637-1711) To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  — EVENING PRAYER 1: THE PREPARATION O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light. Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever. OPENING CANTICLE: PHOS HILARON (O GRACIOUS LIGHT) O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. - 2: THE WORD OF GOD THE PSALMODY Psalm 114 Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, Judah became God’s sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea beheld it and fled; Jordan turned and went back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep. What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? You mountains, that you skipped like rams? you little hills like young sheep? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring. Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; laud him, all you peoples. For his loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. NEW TESTAMENT CANTICLE: A SONG OF FAITH (FROM 1 PETER 1) 1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. THE LESSON: Eph. 3:1-13 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. SCRIPTURE RESPONSE The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. GOSPEL CANTICLE: THE SONG OF MARY (LUKE 1:46-55) The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia. - 3: THE PRAYERS To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise. * Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy. * You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy.  * You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy.  * You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy. * In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy.  Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept. THE COLLECT: The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used:  O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - 4: THE CONCLUSION ARMENIAN ORTHODOX DISMISSAL Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)