Opening Sentence

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name. Amos 5:8

Confession

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

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 138 Confitebor tibi

1

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.

2

I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;

3

For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.

4

When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.

5

All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.

6

They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.

7

Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.

8

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.

9

The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 139 Domine, probasti

1

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

2

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.

3

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.

4

You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.

5

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

6

Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
where can I flee from your presence?

7

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8

If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9

Even there your hand will lead me *
and your right hand hold me fast.

10

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, *
and the light around me turn to night,"

11

Darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day; *
darkness and light to you are both alike.

12

For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

13

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

14

My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.

15

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.

16

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
how great is the sum of them!

17

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.

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 13:31-35 (NRSV)

31 He put before them another parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 33 He told them another parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. 35 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
"I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world."

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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.

• Departure of the Great St. John the Short
• Disciples from the Seventy: Stakhias, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos (I)
• Martyr Epimakhos (+c.250)
• Monks Spiridon and Nikodim, Prosphora-Makers of Pechersk, in the Nearer Caves (XII)
• Nun Maura (V)

When he was eight years old his heart turned away from this world and he desired the monastic life. The grace of God moved him to go to the Desert of Scete and there he met an experienced and holy father whose name was Abba Pemwah from El-Bahnasa.

John asked Abba Pemwah to allow him to stay with him. The old man answered, testing him: "My son, you cannot stay here with us, for this is very hard desert and those who dwell in it eat from the work of their hands. That is besides observing many fasts, prayers, and sleeping on the floor and many other forms of asceticism. Go back to the world and live in godliness". John told him: "Do not send me away, for God's sake, because I came here to be under your obedience and to live by your prayers. If you accept me, I believe that God will make your heart well pleased with me".

Abba Pemwah was in the habit of not doing anything in a haste. He asked the Lord Jesus to reveal to him the matter of this person. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: "Accept him, for he shall be a chosen vessel". Abba Pemwah accepted him, cut off his hair, laid out the garb of a monk, and prayed over it three days and three nights. And when Abba Pemwah put the garb on him, he saw an angel making the sign of the Cross over it.

John started his monastic life with great asceticism and worthy works. One day Abba Pemwah wanted to test him, so he expelled him from his cell saying: "I cannot live with you". John stayed outside the cell for seven days. Every day Abba Pemwah went out and smote him with a palm branch and John bowed down before him saying: "I have sinned". On the seventh day, the old father went out to go to the church and he saw seven angels with seven crowns placing them on the head of John. Since that day, St. John was held by him in honor and reverence.

One day Abba Pemwah found a cane of dry wood and gave it to St. John and said to him: "Take this cane, plant and water it". St. John obeyed and went on watering it twice every day even though the water was about twelve miles from where they dwelled. After three years, that cane sprouted and grew into a fruitful tree. Abba Pemwah took some of that fruit and went around to all the elders saying: "Take, eat from the fruit of obedience". This tree still exists in its place in his monastery.

Abba Pemwah fell sick for twelve years and St. John served him faithfully during that time. Abba Pemwah was an experienced old man who had suffered much, and sickness had emaciated him until he became like a piece of dry wood, so that he would be a chosen offering to God. When he was about to die, he gathered the elders around him and held the hand of St. John and said: "Keep him, for he is an angel, not a human". He commanded St. John to stay in the place where he had planted the cane.

After that St. John's older brother came to the monastery and was ordained with him. He also became a virtuous monk.

When they made St. John an Archpriest in his Church, it happened that when the Patriarch Abba Theophilus was placing his hand over the head of St. John, a voice from heaven was heard by the people present saying: "Worthy, worthy, worthy". When this saint used to consecrate the offering, he was able to know who was worthy to partake of it and those who were not worthy.

Abba Theophilus the Patriarch had built a Church in Alexandria in the name of the "Three Young Men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego" who were cast into the burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19-26). He wished to bring their bodies from Persia and place them in the Church. He asked St. John to travel to Babylon to bring the holy bodies.

St. John accepted to go on this mission after much hesitation. When he left the Patriarch a cloud came and carried him away to Babylon. He entered the city and saw its monuments, rivers, and palaces and found the bodies of the Saints. When he started moving them from their place, a voice came out from the holy bodies and said to him: "It is the will of God that we do not leave this place until the day of resurrection. Nevertheless, because of the love of Abba Theophilus the Patriarch, and your labour too, you should inform the Patriarch to gather the people in the Church and to put oil in the lamps without lighting them and we will appear in the church and a sign will be made manifest to you". Then he left and returned to Alexandria and told the Patriarch what the Saints had said.

It happened then that when the Patriarch and the people were in the Church, the lamps were lit up suddenly and they all gave glory to God.

One day, a monk came into the cell of St. John. He found him lying down and angels waving their wings over him.

One day the barbarians attacked the Desert of Scete and Abba John decided to leave. When he was questioned why he left, he replied that he did not leave because he was afraid of death but because he feared lest a barbarian should slay him and go to hell. He did not want to go to heaven and someone else go to hell because of him. After all, the barbarians are his brothers in form. He left the Scete Desert and went to the mountain of Abba Anthony on the Red Sea. There he dwelt by the side of a village and God sent him a believer who served him.

When the Lord wished to grant him rest and to end his toil in this world He sent him His two righteous saints Abba Macarius and Abba Anthony to comfort him and to inform him about his departure. On a Sunday evening he fell sick and sent his servant to bring him something from the village. The angels and the host of saints came and received his pure soul and took it up to heaven.

When his servant came back he saw the soul of the Saint surrounded by the host of saints and by the angels. In the forefront of the saints there was one who was shining like the sun. The angels were singing.

As the servant marvelled at this magnificent sight, an angel came to him and told him the name of each one of the saints; this is Abba Pachomius, this is Abba Macarius, etc. The servant asked: "Who is this one in the front who is shining like the sun?" The angel replied: "This is Abba Anthony the father of all the monks".

When the servant went into the cell he found the body of the saint kneeling to the ground, he had given up his soul. The servant wept sorrowfully over him and went in a hurry to the village people and told them what had happened. They came and carried his holy body with great honor. When they brought him into the village great wonders and miracles were performed through his body.

The Holy Disciples from the Seventy -- Stakhios, Amplias, Urban, Narcissos, Apellias and Aristoboulos (I): The holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called ordained Stakhias to the dignity of bishop of Byzantium, where he was bishop for sixteen years, zealously preaching the Gospel of Christ and converting pagans to the true faith. Saint Amplias was bishop in the city of Diospolis; Saint Urban -- in Macedonia. They also were bishops by the consecration of the holy Apostle Andrew. For preaching the Gospel they were put to a martyr's death by Jews and pagan Greeks. Saint Narcissos was bishop in the city of Athens. Saint Apellias was bishop at Heraclium.

The Holy Martyr Epimakhos was a native of Egypt. For a long time he lived in seclusion on Mount Peleusis. During the time of a persecution against Christians at Alexandria (about the year 250), Saint Epimakhos in his fervent zeal came into the city, destroyed pagan idols, and fearlessly confessed the teaching of Christ. For this the saint was put to torture. Among the people watching the torture was a woman with infirmity of the eyes; a droplet of blood from the martyr healed her infirmity. After fierce tortures the saint was beheaded by the sword.

The Monks Spiridon and Nikodim, Prosphora-Makers of Pechersk (XII), for 30 years fulfilled their obedience -- they baked prophora. The Monk Spiridon came to the monastery during the time of the hegumen Pimen (1132-1141), already no longer young a man. The ascetic combined his work with unceasing prayer and the singing of psalms. Even during his life the Monk Spiridon was glorified by miracles. An instance is known, when he extinguished his mantle which had caught fire from the oven -- the fire was put out, but the mantle remained whole. Saint Nikodim toiled together with the Monk Spiridon and led a very strict life. Their relics are located in the Antoniev Cave. The fingers of the right hand of the Monk Spiridon are positioned together three-fingered. Their memory is also 28 September and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

The Nun Maura pursued asceticism at Tsargrad, where she founded a monastery, and at which she died in the V Century.

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 25

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Saturdays

O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

World Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the people of Libya.

The Libya Daily

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

We pray for our sisters and brothers, members of the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army

For Sound Government

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

For Schools and Colleges

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Harvest of Lands and Waters

O gracious Father, who open your hand and fills all living things: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let your Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show your loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what thou give , that men and women everywhere may give you thanks; through 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

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.