Saint Gregory Nazianzen

Introit

Ecclesiasticus 15:5

In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory. Ps. It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy Name, O Most High. Glory be to the Father.

Collect

O God, Who didst give blessed Gregory to be a minister of everlasting salvation unto Thy people, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we have had him for our teacher on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven. Through our Lord.

Epistle

Ecclesiasticus 39:6-14

The just man will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins. For if it shall please the great Lord, He will fill him with the spirit of understanding: and he will pour forth the words of His wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will con- fess to the Lord. And He shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in His secrets shall he meditate. He shall show forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten. The memory of him shall not pass away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the Church shall show forth his praise.

Gradual

Psalm 36:30-31

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. The law of His God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted.

Alleluia

Ecclesiasticus 45:1, 9; Osee 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia. V. The Lord loved him and adorned him: He clothed him with a robe of glory.

During Eastertide the Gradual is omitted and the following Alleluia is said:

Alleluia. The just man shall spring as the lily: and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 5:13-19

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, Who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and so shall teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Offertory

Psalm 91:13

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. Alleluia.

Secret

May the holy prayer of Gregory, Thy Bishop and Doctor, fail us not, O Lord: may it render our offerings acceptable, and ever obtain for us Thy pardon. Through our Lord.

Communion

Luke 12:42

The faithful and wise servant, whom his lord setteth over his family: to give them their measure of wheat in due season. (P.T. Alleluia.)

Postcommunion

That Thy sacrifices may give us health O Lord, may blessed Gregory, Thy illustrious doctor, we beseech Thee, act as our intercessor. Through our Lord.

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