INTROIT. In medio Ecclesiae. Ecclus 15.
IN the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth: and the
Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding:
he clothed him with a robe of glory (alleluia, alleluia). Ps.
92. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord: and
to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest. V. Glory be.
The Collect.
O GOD, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten thy Church with the wondrous
learning and singular holiness of thy blessed Confessor and Doctor
Saint Ephraem: we humbly pray thee; that, at his intercession,
thou wouldest with thine unfailing power defend the same against
all the deceits of false doctrine, and all the assaults of iniquity.
Through.
The Epistle. 2 Timothy 4:1-8
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure
is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
GRADUAL. Ps. 37. The Mouth of the righteous
is exercised in wisdom: and his tongue will be talking of judgement.
V. The law of his God is in his heart: and his goings shall not
slide
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ecclus 45. The Lord loved him and
adorned him: he clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.
After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia, and verse
following, is said:
TRACT. Ps. 112. Blessed is the man that feareth
the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments. V. His seed
shall be mighty upon earthy: the generation of the faithful shall
be blessed. V. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his housed:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
In Eastertide, instead of the Gradual, is said:
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ecclus. 45. The Lord loved
him and adorned him: he clothed him with a rob of glory. Alleluia.
V. Hosea 14. The righteous shall grow as the lily: and
flourish for ever before the Lord. Alleluia.
The Gospel. St Matthew 5:13-20
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in
the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one
jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all
be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom
of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall
be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 92. The righteous shall flourish
like a palm-tree: and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.
(alleluia).
SECRET.
GRANT, O Lord, we pray thee that the devout prayers of the blessed
Gregory thy Bishop and Doctor, may never fail to succour and
defend us: that these our oblations may be rendered acceptable
in thy sight; and that we may be made worthy to obtain for our
sins the pardon of thy mercy. Through.
COMMUNION. St. Luke 12. A faithful and wise steward,
whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household: to give them
their portion of meat in due season (alleluia).
POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that thy holy Bishop and most
excellent Doctor, blessed Gregory, may ever stand before thee
as our advocate; that this sacrifice of thy ordinance may effectually
avail for our salvation. Through.
Another Lesson for the Common of Doctors.
The Epistle. Ecclesiasticus 39:5-10
5. The righteous will give his heart to resort early to the LORD
that made him, and will pray before the Most High, and will open
his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit
of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give
thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets
shall he meditate.
8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory
in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9 Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world
endureth, it shall not be blotted out: his memorial shall not
depart away, and his Name shall live from generation to generation.
10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation
shall declare his praise.