Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch in Syria, who was caught in a persecution of the Church around the year 115 and condemned to suffer death in the public arena. The authorities decided to send him all the way to Rome for execution of this sentence. He was put in the custody of ten soldiers and escorted along a route which led through cities with large Christian congregations. There was a lengthy stop-over at Smyrna, on the coast of Asia Minor, and Ignatius took the opportunity to write letters to the four churches that he had just passed through. There was another stop-over at Philippi in Macedonia, where Ignatius wrote another three letters, two back to churches in Asia Minor and one forward to the church at Rome. Taken together, these seven letters were Ignatius’s last testament. He exhorted each church to gather in unity under its bishop, most especially at the eucharist; and he urged the churches to reject certain heresies about the person of Christ. Above all, Ignatius urged the churches to rejoice with him in the prospect of his own martyrdom for the sake of Christ. He embraced his fate passionately, even with a joy that we may find hard to fathom. Ignatius wrote in his letter to the church at Rome: “I am God’s wheat: let me be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread for Christ.” FAS
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/8n5p29s7
God is love, and whoever abides in love
abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4
Receive in tranquility and peace, O Lord,
the souls of your servants
who have departed this present life to come to you.
Grant them rest and place them
in the habitations of light,
the abodes of blessed spirits.
Give them the life that will not age,
good things that will not pass away,
delights that have no end,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. attr. Ignatius
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: William Wright
Tune: Christchurch https://tinyurl.com/394jakum
1 March on, my soul, with strength,
march forward, void of fear;
he who has led will lead,
through each succeeding year;
and as you journey on your way,
his hand shall hold you day by day.
2 March on, my soul, with strength,
in ease you dare not dwell;
your Master calls you forth;
then up, and serve him well!
Take up your cross, take up your sword,
and fight the battles of your Lord.
3 March on, my soul, with strength,
with strength, but not your own;
the conquest you shall gain,
through Christ your Lord alone;
his grace shall power your feeble arm,
his love preserve you safe from harm.
4 March on, my soul, with strength,
from strength to strength march on;
warfare shall end at length,
all foes be overthrown.
And then, my soul, if faithful now,
the crown of life awaits your brow.
PSALMS
Psalm 89 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydygwbyj)
1 My song shall be alway of the loving kindness of the Lord *
with my mouth will I ever be shewing thy truth
from one generation to another.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever *
thy truth shalt thou stablish in the heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen *
I have sworn unto David my servant;
4 Thy seed will I stablish for ever *
and set up thy throne from one generation to another.
5 O Lord, the very heavens shall praise thy wondrous works *
and thy truth in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who is he among the clouds *
that shall be compared unto the Lord?
7 And what is he among the gods *
that shall be like unto the Lord?
8 God is very greatly to be feared in the council of the saints *
and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about him.
9 O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee *
thy truth, most mighty Lord, is on every side.
10 Thou rulest the raging of the sea *
thou stillest the waves thereof when they arise.
11 Thou hast subdued Egypt, and destroyed it *
thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
12 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine *
thou hast laid the foundation of the round world, and all that therein is.
13 Thou hast made the north and the south *
Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name.
14 Thou hast a mighty arm *
strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
15 Righteousness and equity are the habitation of thy seat *
mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
16 Blessed is the people, O Lord, that can rejoice in thee *
they shall walk in the light of thy countenance.
17 Their delight shall be daily in thy Name *
and in thy righteousness shall they make their boast.
18 For thou art the glory of their strength *
and in thy loving-kindness thou shalt lift up our horns.
19 For the Lord is our defence *
the Holy One of Israel is our King.
20 Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and saidst *
I have laid help upon one that is mighty;
I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
21 I have found David my servant *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
22 My hand shall hold him fast *
and my arm shall strengthen him.
23 The enemy shall not be able to do him violence *
the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
24 I will smite down his foes before his face *
and plague them that hate him.
25 My truth also and my mercy shall be with him *
and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.
26 I will set his dominion also in the sea *
and his right hand in the floods.
27 He shall call me, Thou art my Father *
my God, and my strong salvation.
28 And I will make him my first-born *
higher than the kings of the earth.
29 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore *
and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
30 His seed also will I make to endure for ever *
and his throne as the days of heaven.
31 But if his children forsake my law *
and walk not in my judgements;
32 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments *
I will visit their offences with the rod, and their sin with scourges.
33 Nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him *
nor suffer my truth to fail.
34 My covenant will I not break,
nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips *
I have sworn once by my holiness, that I will not fail David.
35 His seed shall endure for ever *
and his seat is like as the sun before me.
36 He shall stand fast for evermore as the moon *
and as the faithful witness in heaven.
37 But thou hast abhorred and forsaken thine Anointed *
and art displeased at him.
38 Thou hast broken the covenant of thy servant *
and cast his crown to the ground.
39 Thou hast overthrown all his hedges *
and broken down his strong holds.
40 All they that go by spoil him *
and he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
41 Thou hast set up the right hand of his enemies *
and made all his adversaries to rejoice.
42 Thou hast taken away the edge of his sword *
and givest him not victory in the battle.
43 Thou hast put out his glory *
and cast his throne down to the ground.
44 The days of his youth hast thou shortened *
and covered him with dishonour.
45 Lord, how long wilt thou hide thyself, for ever *
and shall thy wrath burn like fire?
46 O remember how short my time is *
wherefore hast thou made all men for nought?
47 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death *
and shall he deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
48 Lord, where are thy old loving-kindnesses *
which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
49 Remember, Lord, the rebuke that thy servants have *
and how I do bear in my bosom the rebukes of many people;
50 Wherewith thine enemies have blasphemed thee,
and slandered the footsteps of thine Anointed *
Praised be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 89 (Genevan 89th https://tinyurl.com/4phuhwc5)
1 Forever I will sing of your great love, O LORD,
to every changing age your faithfulness record.
2 I will declare how firm your steadfast love is founded,
established in the skies with faithfulness unbounded.
3 Your cov’nant with David no pow’r on earth can sever.
4 You promised to establish his descendants fore’er.
5 O LORD, the heav’ns extol the wonders of your ways;
the holy ones in their assembly sing your praise.
6 Who in their mighty host compares with you in splendor?
7 They all before your throne to you their homage render.
8 O LORD, who is like you? Who else has pow’r unbounded?
You are the mighty God by faithfulness surrounded.
9 You rule the swelling tides, the surging of the sea,
and on the roaring waves impose tranquility.
10 Proud Rahab you have crushed, its carcass you have shattered;
you with your mighty arm your enemies have scattered.
11 Both earth and skies are yours, for yours is all creation;
the world with all it holds you placed on its foundation.
12 You made both north and south and ev’ry mountain height;
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon glory in your might.
13 Your arm, your strong right hand, evokes their jubilation.
14 True righteousness and justice are your throne’s foundation.
The love and faithfulness that will endure forever
before you make their way as heralds of your favor.
15 Blest are the people who acclaim you as their King,
and walk in the light, before your face rejoicing.
16 They praise fore’er your name, your justice and salvation.
17 For your strength and pow’r are their source of exultation.
18 To you belongs our shield, our king so great and glorious;
you, LORD, came to his aid and made him victorious.
19 Of old your vision came to David, as you said:
20 “I offer him the crown, my oil upon his head.
21 I will abide with him; my hand will not forsake him.
22-23 His enemies will fear; their armies will not break him.
24 My steadfast love and power will go with him forever.
25 I’ll set his hand on every sea and every river.”
26 “You are my God and Rock,” my chosen one will cry.
27 among the kings he’ll reign, the highest of the high.
28 My steadfast love for him I will maintain forever;
the cov’nant made with him I will not break or sever.
29 In keeping with my pledge, the throne to David given
will stand forever firm, enduring like the heavens.
30 “Although his children stray, and disobey my law,
31 ignoring my commands, not holding them in awe,
32 then I will punish them, flog them for their transgression,
33 but will not take from him my love and my compassion.
34 My cov’nant will stand firm, my vow will not be broken,
nor will I change a word of what my lips have spoken.
35 “I once for all have sworn by my own holiness.
I will not break my word, but David I will bless;
36 his throne will evermore from heir to heir be handed,
for like the sun it will endure as I commanded.
37 And like the moon, the faithful witness in the heavens,
his reign will be secure. My promise I have given.”
38 But now, O LORD, in wrath you turn against your own.
39 You have removed his crown, cast down his royal throne.
40 LORD, you have breached the walls, brought widespread devastation,
reduced the citadels to scenes of desolation.
41 See how all who pass by have robbed and plundered him;
he is his neighbors’ scorn, enduring bitter shame.
42 His enemies rejoice, all with laughter greet him.
43 Their armies lay him low; in battle defeat him.
44 You turned his scepter and his throne to desolation;
45 his joy and youth are changed to shame and violation.
46 How long, O LORD? How long will you from him be hiding?
How long before your blazing wrath will be subsiding?
47 Remember, LORD, my life, its brief and fleeting span.
O for what vanity have you created man!
48 Who can outwit the grave or claim to be immortal?
Who can escape the ruinous power of Sheol?
49 Lord, where is now your love? Why has it waned and wavered?
Where is the faithfulness that once you swore to David?
50 Remember how I bear within my heart, O Lord,
the insults and the taunts that I have long endured.
51 Your servant has been mocked and jeered by all the nations;
foes taunted your anointed with their provocations.
52 Yet praise and worship God! His mercy will not waver.
Yes, Amen and Amen. Praised be the LORD forever!
PRAYER
As we sing of your love, O Lord,
anoint us with the Spirit’s seal,
that we may praise your faithfulness
and proclaim your truth from age to age;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CW:DP
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 2 Samuel 18:1-16, 24-33
Then David gathered the troops who were with him and appointed unit commanders over thousands and hundreds. David sent out the army—a third under Joab’s command, a third under the command of Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, and a third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I will march out with you myself.”
But the troops replied, “No! You must not march out! If we flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is much better if you support us from the city.”
The king said to them, “I will do whatever you think is best.” So the king stood beside the gate as all the troops marched out by hundreds and thousands. The king gave orders to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, protect my boy Absalom.” All the troops heard what the king ordered regarding Absalom to all the commanders.
So the troops marched into the field to meet the Israelites. The battle was fought in the Ephraim forest. The army of Israel was defeated there by David’s soldiers. A great slaughter of twenty thousand men took place that day. The battle spread out over the entire countryside, and the forest devoured more soldiers than the sword that day.
Absalom came upon some of David’s men. Absalom was riding on a mule, and the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree. Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair while the mule under him kept on going. One of the men saw this and reported to Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree.”
Joab said to the man who told him, “You saw this? Why didn’t you kill him on the spot? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”
But the man said to Joab, “Even if I had a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I wouldn’t touch the king’s son! We heard what the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai—‘For my sake, take care of my boy Absalom.’ If I had taken Absalom’s life behind the king’s back then—though nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me.”
Joab said, “I won’t waste time like this with you!” He took three sticks in his hand and drove them into Absalom’s chest while he was still alive in the oak. Then ten young armor-bearers of Joab surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped chasing the Israelites, because Joab held them back.
Now David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman on duty went up on the roof of the gate by the wall. He looked out and saw a man running alone. The watchman called out and reported this to the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, it’s good news.”
The man got nearer and nearer, and the watchman saw another man running and called down to the gatekeeper, “There’s another man running alone.” The king said, “That one must be bringing good news too.” The watchman said, “I can see that the first one runs like Zadok’s son Ahimaaz.” “He’s a good man,” the king said, “and is coming with good news.”
Ahimaaz called out to the king, “Peace!” then bowed low before the king, his nose to the ground. He said, “Bless the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my master the king.” The king said, “Is my boy Absalom okay?” Ahimaaz said, “I saw a large crowd right when Joab, the king’s servant, sent your servant off, but I don’t know what it was about.” “Step aside and stand right here,” the king said. So Ahimaaz stepped aside and waited.
Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My master the king: Listen to this good news! The Lord has vindicated you this day against the power of all who rose up against you.” The king said to the Cushite, “Is my boy Absalom okay?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my master the king and all who rise up against you to hurt you end up like that young man.” The king trembled. He went up to the room over the gate and cried. As he went, he said, “Oh, my son Absalom! Oh, my son! My son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! Oh, Absalom, my son! My son!”
HYMN: Martin Luther; trans. Gracia Grindal ©
Tune: Aus tiefer Not https://tinyurl.com/4cr22sxu
1. Out of the depths I cry to you;
O Father, hear me calling.
Incline your ear to my distress
In spite of my rebelling.
Do not regard my sinful deeds.
Send me the grace my spirit needs;
Without it I am nothing.
2. All things you send are full of grace;
You crown our lives with favor.
All our good works are done in vain
Without our Lord and Savior.
We praise the God who gives us faith
And saves us from the grip of death;
Our lives are in his keeping.
3. It is in God that we shall hope,
And not in our own merit.
We rest our fears in his good Word
And trust his Holy Spirit.
His promise keeps us strong and sure;
We trust the holy signature
Inscribed upon our temples.
4. My soul is waiting for the Lord
As one who longs for morning;
No watcher waits with greater hope
Than I for his returning.
I hope as Israel in the Lord;
He sends redemption through his Word.
We praise him for his mercy.
5. Although our many sins are great,
God’s grace cannot be questioned.
He reaches out his hand to save
Despite our own transgressions.
He, the Good Shepherd, will alone
For all of Israel’s guilt atone—
Yes, all our sins and errors.
READING: Revelation 4
After this I looked and there was a door that had been opened in heaven. The first voice that I had heard, which sounded like a trumpet, said to me, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in a Spirit-inspired trance and I saw a throne in heaven, and someone was seated on the throne. The one seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and surrounding the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. Twenty-four thrones, with twenty-four elders seated upon them, surrounded the throne. The elders were dressed in white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came lightning, voices, and thunder. In front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a glass sea, like crystal, was in front of the throne.
In the center, by the throne, were four living creatures encircling the throne. These creatures were covered with eyes on the front and on the back. The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature was like an ox. The third living creature had a face like a human being. And the fourth living creature was like an eagle in flight. Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and each was covered all around and on the inside with eyes. They never rest day or night, but keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is coming.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives forever and always, the twenty-four elders fall before the one seated on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever and always. They throw down their crowns before the throne and say,
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
because you created all things.
It is by your will that they existed and were created.”
HYMN: para. Gerard Moultrie
Tune: Picardy https://tinyurl.com/y547avs3
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood.
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food.
3 Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
4 At His feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord Most High!”
READING: Luke 12:13-21
Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me as judge or referee between you and your brother?”
Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” Then he told them a parable: “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! Then he thought, Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That’s where I’ll store all my grain and goods. I’ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. But God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have prepared for yourself?’ This is the way it will be for those who hoard things for themselves and aren’t rich toward God.”
CANTICLE Song of the Three Young Men 29-34
(BCP 2019/St Bernard Breviary)
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Give us your peace, O God,
that we may rejoice in your goodness
to us and to all your children,
and be thankful for your love revealed in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
people who reveal your truth and righteousness . . .
courage to be bold disciples . . .
those who show hospitality . . .
surprises that have blessed us . . .
the unity of the church of Jesus Christ. . . .
Give us your peace, O God,
that we may be confident of your care
for us and all your children,
as we remember the needs of others.
Especially we pray for
friends and relatives who are far away . . .
neighbors in special need . . .
those who suffer hunger and thirst . . .
those who work at night while others sleep . . .
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
O Lord our God,
may the bread of heaven refresh us
and the wine of your kingdom give us new strength,
that we who honour your martyr Ignatius
may manifest by our actions
what we became by our baptism;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FAS
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
CW:DP Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing
FAS For All the Saints, Revised Ed. © Anglican Church of Canada
The scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalm is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalim 89 is adapted from the Genevan versions found in Book of Praise: Anglo-Genevan Psalter and Psalter Hymnal, 1985 © The canticle is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2025 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 