Patrons of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church & the Stato Pontificio Imperiale
PSALTER
Acts 12.11 MANY are the afflictions of the just, and out of all these the Lord hath delivered them: the Lord keepeth all their bones; not one of them shall be broken. Ps. 138.1,2 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be always in my mouth. Ps. 44.17-18 Their sound went forth into all the earth: and their words to the end of the world. The heavens show forth the glory of God: and the firmament declareth the works of his hands.
Matt. 16.18. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Ps. 44.17-18 Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember thy Name, O Lord, throughout all generations.
VERSE
Alleluia. Matt. 16.18. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.
COLLECT
O GOD, who hast made this day holy by the martyrdom of thine Apostles, Peter and Paul: grant that thy Church may in all things follow the precepts of those through whom she received the beginnings of the Faith. Through.
EPISTLE Acts 12.1-11 IN those days, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict some of the Church: and he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword; and seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the azymes: and when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison: and behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shined in the room; and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: Arise quickly, and the chains fell off from his hands; and the Angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals; and he did so; and he said to him, cast thy garment about thee, and follow me; and going out, he followed him: and he knew not that it was true which was done by the Angel; but he thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them; and going out, they passed on through one street, and immediately the Angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent His Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (14.22)
AT that time, straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
