Forty Holy Martyrs
Introit
Psalm 33:18, 2
The just cried, and the Lord heard them; and delivered them out of all their troubles. Ps. I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who acknowledge the boldness of thy glorious Martyrs in confessing Thy name, may experience likewise their loving intercession for us. Through our Lord.
Epistle
Hebrews 11:33-39
Brethren: the saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: women received their dead raised to life again: but others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection; and others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons: they were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they wandered about in sheep-skins, and in goat-skins, being in want, distressed, afflicted of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth. And all these were found approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gradual
Psalm 132:1-2
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.
Tract
Psalm 125:5-7
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Going, they went and wept, casting their seeds. But, coming, they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
Gospel
Luke 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus coming down with them, stood in a plain place, and the company of His disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, who were come to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch Him, for virtue went out from Him, and healed all. And He, lifting up His eyes on His disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
Offertory
Psalm 31:11
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just; and glory, all ye right of heart.
Secret
Look down, O Lord, upon the prayers and oblations of Thy faithful; that they may be agreeable to Thee on the feast of Thy Saints, and obtain for us the help of Thy propitiation. Through our Lord.
Communion
Matthew 12:50
Whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in heaven, the same is My brother and sister, and mother, saith the Lord.
Postcommunion
Appeased, O Lord by the intercession of Thy Saints: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may obtain by the celebration of this temporal act our eternal salvation. Through our Lord.