Tuesday, October 13
Evening Prayer
Orthodox Saints

Opening Sentence

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Confession

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Invitatory

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

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.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

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.

Psalm 10 Ut quid, Domine?

1
Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, *
and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2
The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *
but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3
The wicked boast of their heart's desire; *
the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
4
The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *
their only thought is, "God does not matter."
5
Their ways are devious at all times;
your judgments are far above out of their sight; *
they defy all their enemies.
6
They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; *
no harm shall happen to me ever."
7
Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *
under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8
They lurk in ambush in public squares
and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
they spy out the helpless.
9
They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;
they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *
they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
10
The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *
the helpless fall before their power.
11
They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; *
he hides his face; he will never notice."
12
Rise up, O LORD;
lift up your hand, O God; *
do not forget the afflicted.
13
Why should the wicked revile God? *
why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
14
Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
you see it and take it into your own hand.
15
The helpless commit themselves to you, *
for you are the helper of orphans.
16
Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
search out their wickedness until you find none.
17
The LORD is King for ever and ever; *
the ungodly shall perish from his land.
18
The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; *
you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
19
To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *
so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.

Psalm 11 In Domino confido

1
In the LORD have I taken refuge; *
how then can you say to me,
"Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
2
For see how the wicked bend the bow
and fit their arrows to the string, *
to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
3
When the foundations are being destroyed, *
what can the righteous do?"
4
The LORD is in his holy temple; *
the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
5
His eyes behold the inhabited world; *
his piercing eye weighs our worth.
6
The LORD weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, *
but those who delight in violence he abhors.
7
Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire and burning sulphur; *
a scorching wind shall be their lot.
8
For the LORD is righteous;
he delights in righteous deeds; *
and the just shall see his face.

Gloria Patri

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.

Gospel

Matthew 10:16-23 (NRSV)

16 "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The Word of the Lord.

Canticle 17 The Song of Simeon
Nunc Dimittis Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

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.

Arrival of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch to Egypt
On this day we commemorate the arrival of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, to Egypt. That was in the days of Eustinos the Emperor who adopted the non-orthodox doctrine of the Council of Chalcedon. Queen Theodora, his wife, was Orthodox and she loved St. Severus because of his Christian virtues and his true faith.

The Emperor called him one day and they argued about the Emperor's faith, and the Emperor would not turn away from his wrong belief. The Emperor issued an order to kill St. Severus. The Queen besought the Saint to escape to save himself but he refused saying, "I am ready to die holding the Orthodox faith". However, as the Queen and the God loving brethren insisted, he and some brethren left to Egypt.

When the Emperor sought for St. Severus and did not find him he sent soldiers after him. However, God hid him and they could not find him though he was close to them. When he arrived in Egypt he went disguised from place to place and from monastery to monastery, and God made many signs and wonders by his hands.

One day he went to the Desert of Scete, at Wadi El-Natroun, and entered the church in a uniform of a monk and a great miracle happened. After the priest had placed the bread (Korban) on the altar, gone around the church raising incense, and after the reading of the Epistles and the Gospels, he lifted up the Ebrospharin (altar covering) and did not find the Korban on its plate.

The priest was disturbed and wept and he turned towards the worshippers saying: "My brethren, I did not find the Korban on its plate, and I know not whether this thing has happened because of my sin or because of your sin". The people wept; and right away the angel of the Lord appeared to the priest and told him: "This has happened not because of your sin nor because of the sin of the worshippers but because you offered the Korban in the presence of the Patriarch. The priest replied: "And where is he, my Lord?" The angel pointed towards St. Severus.

St. Severus was standing in a corner of the church and the priest recognized him by the grace of the Holy Spirit. When the priest came to Abba Severus he commanded him to continue the Liturgy after they brought him to the altar with great honor. When the priest had gone up to the altar he found the offering (Korban) on the paten as before. They all praised God and glorified His Holy Name.

St. Severus left that place and went to the City of Sakha where he dwelt with a noble, righteous man named Dorotheus, and he remained there until his departure.

The Holy Martyrs Karpos, Bishop of Phiatirea, Deacon Papila, Agathodoros and Agathonika the sister of Papila, suffered during a time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Decius in the III Century. The governor of the district where the saints lived became aware, that Karpos and Papila did not celebrate the pagan feasts. He gave orders to arrest the transgressors and first to try to persuade them in the veracity of the Roman pagan-religion. The saints answered, that it would be improper to worship false gods. The judge then ordered them to be bound and led through the city in iron chains, and then to be tied to horses and dragged to the nearby city of Sardis. Agathodoros and Agathonika voluntarily followed after Karpos and Papila. In Sardis they choked Agathonika to death with ox sinews, and beheaded Karpos, Papila and Agathodoros. Saint Papila during life was known for his gift of treating the sick; after his martyr's death, he invariably gives healing to all who have recourse to him with faith.

The Monk Veniamin (Benjamin) of Pechersk lived during the XIV Century and before accepting monasticism was "an important merchant." Once at the time of Divine services Saint Veniamin felt deeply in his heart the words of the Saviour: how difficult it is for the rich to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 19: 23). Having given off his wealth to the needy, Saint Veniamin became a monk, "pleasing the Lord by fasting and prayers even unto death." He was buried in the Theodosiev Cave. His memory is also on 28 August and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Holy Martyr Florentius was a native of the city of Soluneia (Thessalonika). Zealous for the glory of God, he fearlessly unmasked the darkness of idol-worship and led many to the light of true knowledge of God; he taught faith in Christ and fulfilled the will of God. For this the pagans subjected him to cruel tortures, and then burnt him (+II).

The Holy Martyr Benjamin the Deacon converted many pagan Persians to Christianity, and for his zeal and evangelic preaching he suffered in Persia during the V Century.

The Monk Nikita the Confessor was situated at the imperial court, during the reigns of the empress Irene and her son Constantine.

Renouncing all positions and honours, Nikita decided to take monastic vows. At the request of the emperor, he did not set off into the wilderness, but rather remained in a monastery in the capital. When the Iconoclast Theophilus occupied the imperial throne, the monk Nikita was banished from the monastery by the heretics for opposing the heresy. The monk wandered for a long time throughout the country.

He died at age 75 in about the year 838. During his life and after his death the monk worked many miracles.

The Holy GreatMartyress Zlata (Chrysa or Golda) of Moglensk was born and lived in the Bulgarian village of Slatino, Moglensk diocese (+1795). Bulgaria at this time was under the Turkish Yoke.

From her youth Zlata displayed an unusually strong character, a firm faith in Christ, and was both chaste and beautiful. The local Turks attempted repeatedly to seduce the maiden and force her to accept Islam. But neither by persuasion, nor by threats, nor by monstrous torturing continued in prison for many months, did they break the spirit of the glorious confessor of Christ.

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.

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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffrages A

Show us your mercy, O Lord;

And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness;

Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;

For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care;

And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth;

Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;

Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God;

And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Collect of the Day: Pentecost, proper 23

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

World Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the people of Mauritius.

l'express (in French)

The Prime Minister's Website

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

We pray for our sisters and brothers, members of the Evangelical Friends Church.

The Evangelical Friends Church

For Agriculture

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Those We Love

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Benediction

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14