Tuesday, November 11
Evening Prayer
Orthodox Saints

Opening Sentence

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Confession

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Invitatory

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Psalm 78:40-72

Part II Quoties exacerbaverunt

40
How often the people disobeyed him in the wilderness *
and offended him in the desert!
41
Again and again they tempted God *
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42
They did not remember his power *
in the day when he ransomed them from the enemy;
43
How he wrought his signs in Egypt *
and his omens in the field of Zoan.
44
He turned their rivers into blood, *
so that they could not drink of their streams.
45
He sent swarms of flies among them, which ate them up, *
and frogs, which destroyed them.
46
He gave their crops to the caterpillar, *
the fruit of their toil to the locust.
47
He killed their vines with hail *
and their sycamores with frost.
48
He delivered their cattle to hailstones *
and their livestock to hot thunderbolts.
49
He poured out upon them his blazing anger: *
fury, indignation, and distress,
a troop of destroying angels.
50
He gave full rein to his anger;
he did not spare their souls from death; *
but delivered their lives to the plague.
51
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, *
the flower of manhood in the dwellings of Ham.
52
He led out his people like sheep *
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53
He led them to safety, and they were not afraid; *
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54
He brought them to his holy land, *
the mountain his right hand had won.
55
He drove out the Canaanites before them
and apportioned an inheritance to them by lot; *
he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56
But they tested the Most High God, and defied him, *
and did not keep his commandments.
57
They turned away and were disloyal like their fathers; *
they were undependable like a warped bow.
58
They grieved him with their hill-altars *
they provoked his displeasure with their idols.
59
When God heard this, he was angry *
and utterly rejected Israel.
60
He forsook the shrine at Shiloh, *
the tabernacle where he had lived among his people.
61
He delivered the ark into captivity, *
his glory into the adversary's hand.
62
He gave his people to the sword *
and was angered against his inheritance.
63
The fire consumed their young men; *
there were no wedding songs for their maidens.
64
Their priests fell by the sword, *
and their widows made no lamentation.
65
Then the LORD woke as though from sleep, *
like a warrior refreshed with wine.
66
He struck his enemies on the backside *
and put them to perpetual shame.
67
He rejected the tent of Joseph *
and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68
He chose instead the tribe of Judah *
and Mount Zion, which he loved.
69
He built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, *
like the earth which he founded for ever.
70
He chose David his servant, *
and took him away from the sheepfolds.
71
He brought him from following the ewes, *
to be a shepherd over Jacob his people
and over Israel his inheritance.
72
So he shepherded them with a faithful and true heart *
and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.

Gloria Patri

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 14:25-35 (NRSV)

25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26'Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. 34'Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!'

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Canticle 17 The Song of Simeon
Nunc Dimittis Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

On this day we commemorate the martyrdom of the striving Saints Maximus, Nometius, Boctor, and Philopus. They lived in the days of Emperor Decius; in whose reign, seven young men disappeared in a mountain cave in Ephesus.

These four saints were from Africa, and they were brethren in Christian love. When Emperor Decius was torturing the Christians, they agreed together to proclaim their faith. They went to the prince and confessed that they were Christians and they worshipped Christ only.

He ordered that they be beaten, and they were beaten many times with whips and sticks. Their backs were also burned with red-hot rods and their bodies rubbed with bits of rags soaked in vinegar and salt water. They did not change their mind and some of the people present believed in the Lord Jesus when they saw their patience and endurance. Finally the prince ordered the heads of some of the saints to be cut off and the sword to be used to mutilate the bodies of the others. Thereupon they all received crowns of martyrdom.


Also on this day we commemorate St. Cleopas the Apostle and his companion who were on their way to the village called Emmaus: "And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"

Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.

"But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. "When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see". Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent". And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight" (Luke 24:13-31).

These two apostles were among the Seventy Two Apostles.

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffrages A

Show us your mercy, O Lord;

And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness;

Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;

For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care;

And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth;

Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;

Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God;

And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Collect of the Day: Pentecost, proper 27

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

World Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the people of Tajikistan.

The Tajikistan Update

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

We pray for our sisters and brothers, members of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Jehovah's Witnesses

For Agriculture

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Those We Love

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Benediction

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14