December 6th
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Bishop and Confessor
[Latin
Text]
Introit: Ecclus. vl: 30
The
Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he
should possess the dignity of priesthood forever. [Ps. cxxxi]
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. Glory be. The Lord.
Collect:
O God, who didst adorn by the working of countless miracles the holy Bishop
Nicholas: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and prayers we may be
delivered from the flames of hell. Through our Lord.
Commemoration
of the Feria
Epistle: Hebrews xiii: 7-17
A reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews:
Brethren, remember your superiors who have spoken the word of God to you. Consider
how they ended their lives, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the
same, yesterday and today, yes and forever. Do not be led away by various
and strange doctrines. For it is good to make steadfast the heart by
grace, not by foods in which those who walked found no profit. We have an
altar from which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle. For
the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high
priest for sin, are burned outside the camp; and so Jesus also, that He might
sanctify the people by His Blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us
therefore go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach; for here we
have no permanent city, but we seek for the city that is to come. Through
Him, therefore, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is,
fruit of lips praising His name. And do not forget kindness and charity,
for by such sacrifices God's favor is obtained. Obey your superiors and be
subject to them, for they keep watch as having to render an account of your
souls.
Gradual: Ps lxxxviii: 21-23
I
have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that my hand
may always be with him and theat My arm may make him strong. No enemy
shall deceive him, nor shall the wicked afflict him. (Ps.
xci: 13) Alleluia, alleluia, The just man shall flourish like the
palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. Alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-23
The
continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
At
that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: "A man going
abroad, called his servants and handed over to them his goods. And to one
he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to
his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had
received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more.
In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who
had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master's money.
Then after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts
with them. And he who had received the five talents came, and brought five
other talents, saying, 'Master, thou handed over to me five talents; behold, I
have gained five, more in addition.' His master said to him, 'Well done,
good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I
will set thee over many; enter into the joy of thy master. And also he who
had received the two talents came, and said, 'Master, thou handed over to me two
talents; behold, I have gained two more.' His master said to him, 'Well
done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few
things, I will set thee over many; enter into the joy of thy master.
Offertory: Ps. lxxxviii: 25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his
horn be exalted.
Secret
O Lord God, sanctify, we beseech Thee, these gifts which we offer up on the feast
of Thy Bishop Nicholas, that through them our life may ever be directed in
adversity and in prosperity. Through our Lord.
Commemoration of the
Feria
Praefatio Communis
Communion: Ps. lxxxviii
Once,
by My holiness, have I sworn; his posterity shall continue forever, and his
throne shall be like the sun before Me; like the moon, which remains
forever, a faithful witness in the sky.
Postcommunion:
May
the sacrifices which we have received, O Lord, on this festival of Thy holy
Bishop Nicholas, preserve and protect us forevermore.
Commemoration of the
Feria