The Collect.
O GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly festival of blessed
Polycarp thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that, as we
now observe his heavenly birthday; so we may likewise rejoice
in his protection. [Through]
The Epistle. 1 John 3:10-16 10 Whosoever doeth not righteousness
is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.
And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and
his brother's righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because
we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth
in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that
no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his
life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The Gospel. St. Luke 21:9-19 9 When ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified:
for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not
by and by.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines,
and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there
be from heaven.
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into
prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's
sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before
what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries
shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and
kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be
put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.