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 the spirit of wisdom and understanding: he
clothed him with a robe of glory, alleluia, alleluia. Ps.
82. 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.
We beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to hear the prayers which
we offer unto thee on this feast of thy holy Confessor and Bishop
Saint Athanasius: that, like as he was found worthy to do thee
faithful service; so by the succour of his merits, we may be
delivered from the bonds of the sins which we have committed.
Through.
The Epistle. 2 Corinthians 4:5-14
5 BRETHREN: We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency
of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,
but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus'
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written,
I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and
therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise
up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 110. Thou art a priest for
ever, after the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia. V. St James
I. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when
he is tried he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.
After Eastertide is said:
GRADUAL. Eccl. 44. Behold a great priest, who
in his days pleased the Lord. V. There was none like unto him
to keep the law of the Most High.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. St. James I. Blessed is the man
that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive
the crown of life. Alleluia.
The Gospel. Matthew 10:23-28
23 AT that time: Jesus said unto His disciples: When they persecute
you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto
you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the
Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above
his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and
the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that
shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what
ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both
soul and body in hell.
OFFERTORY.Ps. 89. I have found David my servant,
with my holy oil have I anointed him: my hand shall hold him
fast, and my arm shall strengthen him. Alleluia.
SECRET.
GRANT, O Lord, we pray thee, that our devout observance of this
yearly festival of thy Confessor and Bishop Saint Athanasius
may render us thy servants acceptable unto thy loving-kindness:
that the oblation of this our bounden duty and service may be
profitable unto him in the reward of his godliness, and obtain
for us thy servants the bountiful gifts of thy grace. Through.
COMMUNION.St. Matthew 10.27.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light, saith the
Lord: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye on the house-tops,
alleluia.
POSTCOMMUNION.
O GOD, who rewardest the souls of them that put their trust in
thee: grant, we beseech thee; that we who keep the solemn feast
of Saint Athanasius thy Bishop and Confessor, may by his prayers
obtain the part of thy mercy. Through.