Cyril and Methodius
Cyril and his older brother Methodius were born in Thessalonica, both developing in their youth the ability to speak several languages, including Slavonic, a language not yet written down, at least in an alphabet understood by others. Cyril created the Slavonic alphabet and set about translating the Scriptures and other liturgical texts into the language. They established the church in Moravia, but in so doing entered into the controversy between indigenous and centralised religious practices and worship. Cyril died on this day in the year 869, whilst the brothers were in Rome, there to obtain papal approval for their evangelistic work. Methodius returned to Moravia as archbishop, where he completed the translation of the Bible and continued the missionary work. He died in the year 885. Today they are revered in both Christian East and West and, as such, are seen as patron saints of ecumenism between these two great branches of Christendom. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yh4xbha5
O sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has worked wonders;
in the sight of the nations
he has shown his deliverance, alleluia. Psalm 98
Faithful God,
remember the covenant you made to your people of old,
as well as the one sealed by the blood of your Son.
Guard and guide those who look to you,
that we may proclaim your mercy in all the world;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
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: Jiří Tranovský; trans. Jaroslav Vajda ©
Tune: PÁN BŮH
1 God, my Lord, my strength, my place of hiding
and confiding
in all needs by night and day;
though foes surround me,
and Satan mark his prey,
God shall have his way.
2 Christ in me, and I am freed for living
and forgiving,
heart of flesh for lifeless stone;
now bold to serve him,
now cheered his love to own,
nevermore alone.
3 Up, weak knees and spirit bowed in sorrow!
No tomorrow
shall arise to beat you down;
God goes before you
and angels all around;
on your head a crown!
PSALMS
Psalm 73 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vztsodf)
1 Truly God is loving unto Israel *
even unto such as are of a clean heart.
2 Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone *
my treadings had well-nigh slipt.
3 And why? I was grieved at the wicked *
I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.
4 For they are in no peril of death *
but are lusty and strong.
5 They come in no misfortune like other folk *
neither are they plagued like other men.
6 And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride *
and overwhelmed with cruelty.
7 Their eyes swell with fatness *
and they do even what they lust.
8 They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy *
their talking is against the most High.
9 For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven *
and their tongue goeth through the world.
10 Therefore fall the people unto them *
and thereout suck they no small advantage.
11 Tush, say they, how should God perceive it *
is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world,
and these have riches in possession *
and I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed mine hands in innocency.
13 All the day long have I been punished *
and chastened every morning.
14 Yea, and I had almost said even as they *
but lo, then I should have condemned the generation of thy children.
15 Then thought I to understand this *
but it was too hard for me,
16 Until I went into the sanctuary of God *
then understood I the end of these men;
17 Namely, how thou dost set them in slippery places *
and castest them down, and destroyest them.
18 O how suddenly do they consume *
perish, and come to a fearful end!
19 Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh *
so shalt thou make their image to vanish out of the city.
20 Thus my heart was grieved *
and it went even through my reins.
21 So foolish was I, and ignorant *
even as it were a beast before thee.
22 Nevertheless, I am alway by thee *
for thou hast holden me by my right hand.
23 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel *
and after that receive me with glory.
24 Whom have I in heaven but thee *
and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee.
25 My flesh and my heart faileth *
but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
26 For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish *
thou hast destroyed all them that commit fornication against thee.
27 But it is good for me to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord God *
and to speak of all thy works in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
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 74 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/r9v5c9y)
1 O God, wherefore art thou absent from us so long *
why is thy wrath so hot against the sheep of thy pasture?
2 O think upon thy congregation *
whom thou hast purchased, and redeemed of old.
3 Think upon the tribe of thine inheritance *
and mount Sion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
4 Lift up thy feet, that thou mayest utterly destroy every enemy *
which hath done evil in thy sanctuary.
5 Thine adversaries roar in the midst of thy congregations *
and set up their banners for tokens.
6 He that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees *
was known to bring it to an excellent work.
7 But now they break down all the carved work thereof *
with axes and hammers.
8 They have set fire upon thy holy places *
and have defiled the dwelling-place of thy Name, even unto the ground.
9 Yea, they said in their hearts, Let us make havock of them altogether *
thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
10 We see not our tokens, there is not one prophet more *
no, not one is there among us, that understandeth any more.
11 O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonour *
how long shall the enemy blaspheme thy Name, for ever?
12 Why withdrawest thou thy hand *
why pluckest thou not thy right hand out of thy bosom
to consume the enemy?
13 For God is my King of old *
the help that is done upon earth he doeth it himself.
14 Thou didst divide the sea through thy power *
thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
15 Thou smotest the heads of Leviathan in pieces *
and gavest him to be meat for the people in the wilderness.
16 Thou broughtest out fountains and waters out of the hard rocks *
thou driedst up mighty waters.
17 The day is thine, and the night is thine *
thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
18 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth *
thou hast made summer and winter.
19 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy hath rebuked *
and how the foolish people hath blasphemed thy Name.
20 O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the enemies *
and forget not the congregation of the poor for ever.
21 Look upon the covenant *
for all the earth is full of darkness, and cruel habitations.
22 O let not the simple go away ashamed *
but let the poor and needy give praise unto thy Name.
23 Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause *
remember how the foolish man blasphemeth thee daily.
24 Forget not the voice of thine enemies *
the presumption of them that hate thee increaseth ever more and more.
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 73 (Plainsong Tone V.3)
1 Truly, God is loving to Israel, *
even to those who have a clean heart.
2 Nevertheless, my feet had almost stumbled; *
my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the proud *
when I saw the ungodly in such prosperity.
4 For they are in no fear of death, *
but their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They come to no misfortune like other folk, *
neither are they afflicted like others.
6 Therefore they wear pride as a necklace, *
and they wrap themselves with violence as with a garment.
7 Their eyes swell with greed, *
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
8 Their talk is malice and mockery; *
they have proud looks, and tyrannous words are on their lips.
9 For they set their mouth against the heavens, *
and their evil speech spreads through the world.
10 Therefore the people turn to them, *
and find no fault in them.
11 They say, “How should God perceive it? *
Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly; *
they prosper in their ways, and they have riches in possession.
13 I said, “Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart *
and washed my hands in innocence.”
14 All the day long have I been afflicted, *
and chastened every morning.
15 Indeed, had I spoken as they do, *
then would I have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 When I sought to understand this, *
it was too hard for me,
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; *
then I understood their end.
18 Surely, you set them in slippery places, *
and cast them down, and destroy them.
19 Oh, how suddenly are they consumed; *
they perish and come to a fearful end.
20 Indeed, like a dream when one awakens, *
so shall you make their image vanish out of the city.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, *
and I was wounded within;
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant, *
as if I were a beast before you.
23 Nevertheless, I am always with you, *
for you hold me by my right hand.
24 You shall guide me with your counsel, *
and after that receive me with glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? *
And there is no one on earth whom I desire
in comparison with you.
26 Though my flesh and my heart fail me, *
God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For behold, those who forsake you shall perish; *
you destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But it is good for me to hold fast to God,
to put my trust in the Lord God, *
and to speak of all your works in the gates of the city of Zion.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 74 (Plainsong Tone V.3)
1 O God, why have you utterly cast us off? *
Why is your wrath so hot against the
sheep of your pasture?
2 O think upon your congregation *
whom you have purchased and redeemed of old.
3 Think upon the tribe of your inheritance, *
and Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.
4 Draw near and behold how all is made desolate *
and how the enemy has destroyed all that is in your sanctuary.
5 Your adversaries roar in the midst of your holy place *
and set up their banners as tokens of victory.
6 Like hewers of timber in a thicket of trees, *
so have they broken down all the carved work with
axes and hammers.
7 They have set fire to your holy place *
and have defiled the dwelling place of your Name,
even to the ground.
8 They said in their hearts,
“Let us make havoc of them altogether.” *
Thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
9 We do not see any signs; there is not one prophet anymore; *
there is no one who knows how long
these things shall continue.
10 O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonor? *
How long shall the enemy blaspheme your Name, for ever?
11 Why do you withdraw your hand? *
Why do you not take your right hand out of your bosom
to consume the enemy?
12 For God is my King of old; *
he is the one bringing help upon the earth.
13 You divided the sea through your power; *
you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters.
14 You smote the heads of Leviathan in pieces *
and gave him to be food for the people in the wilderness.
15 You brought fountains and waters out of the hard rocks, *
and you dried up mighty waters.
16 The day is yours, and the night is yours; *
you have prepared the light and the sun.
17 You have set all the borders of the earth; *
you have made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffed, *
and how the foolish people have blasphemed your Name.
19 Deliver not the soul of your turtledove to the wild beasts, *
and forget not for ever the lives of your poor.
20 Look upon your covenant, *
for the dark places of the earth are full of violence.
21 Let not the oppressed go away ashamed, *
but let the poor and needy give praise to your Name.
22 Arise, O God, maintain your own cause; *
remember how the foolish one blasphemes you daily.
23 Forget not the voice of your enemies, *
nor the tumult of those who hate you,
which increases ever more and more.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
God our strength,
you give honor to the pure in heart
and uphold all who trust in you.
Deliver us from chasing after this world’s illusions
that we may follow instead
the imperishable truth of your Word
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Genesis 29:1-14
Jacob got to his feet and set out for the land of the easterners. He saw a well in the field in front of him, near which three flocks of sheep were lying down. That well was their source for water because the flocks drank from that well. A huge stone covered the well’s opening. When all of the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well’s opening, water the sheep, and return the stone to its place at the well’s opening.
Jacob said to them, “Where are you from, my brothers?” They said, “We’re from Haran.” Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” They said, “We know him.” He said to them, “Is he well?” They said, “He’s fine. In fact, this is his daughter Rachel now, coming with the flock.” He said to them, “It’s now only the middle of the day. It’s not time yet to gather the animals. Water the flock, and then go, put them out to pasture.” They said to him, “We can’t until all the herds are gathered, and then we roll the stone away from the well’s opening and water the flock.”
While he was still talking to them, Rachel came with her father’s flock since she was its shepherd. When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his uncle, and the flock of Laban, Jacob came up, rolled the stone from the well’s opening, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban. Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. Jacob told Rachel that he was related to her father and that he was Rebekah’s son. She then ran to tell her father. When Laban heard about Jacob his sister’s son, he ran to meet him. Laban embraced him, kissed him, and invited him into his house, where Jacob recounted to Laban everything that had happened. Laban said to him, “Yes, you are my flesh and blood.”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: St Elizabeth https://tinyurl.com/bj85k6n7
1 How pleasant ’tis to see
Kindred and friends agree,
Each in his proper station move;
And each fulfills his part
With sympathizing heart,
In all the cares of life and love.
2 ‘Tis like the ointment shed
On Aaron’s sacred head,
Divinely rich, divinely sweet;
The oil through all the room
Diffused a choice perfume,
Ran through his robes, and blessed his feet.
3 Like fruitful showers of rain
That water all the plain,
Descending from the neighboring hills;
Such streams of pleasure roll
Through every friendly soul,
Where love like heavenly dew distills.
READING: Romans 7:14-25
We know that the Law is spiritual, but I’m made of flesh and blood, and I’m sold as a slave to sin. I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right. But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it.
So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. I gladly agree with the Law on the inside, but I see a different law at work in my body. It wages a war against the law of my mind and takes me prisoner with the law of sin that is in my body. I’m a miserable human being. Who will deliver me from this dead corpse? Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then I’m a slave to God’s Law in my mind, but I’m a slave to sin’s law in my body.
HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Sagina https://tinyurl.com/yvnd23xv
1 And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2 ‘Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds enquire no more.
3 He left his Father’s throne above —
so free, so infinite his grace —
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
for, O my God, it found out me!
4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
5 No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
READING: Mark 6:14-29
Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.”
He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him.
Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.”
She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied.
Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.
CANTICLE Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/ycrn2d4f)
Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor, and kingship,
All people will obey him.
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
the nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our god and the authority
of his anointed one,
for the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
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.
THE PRAYERS BCW2018
We lift our voices in prayer and praise, holy God,
for you have lifted us to new life in Jesus Christ,
and your blessings come in generous measure.
Especially we thank you for
the good news of Jesus Christ for all . . .
the wonder and beauty of creation . . .
the love of family and friends . . .
opportunities for faithful service . . .
particular blessings of this day . . .
We hold up before you human needs, God of compassion,
for you have come to us in Jesus Christ and shared our life
so that we may share his resurrection.
Especially we pray for
the one holy catholic and apostolic church . . .
peace and justice in the world . . .
those in whom we see Christ’s suffering . . .
those who offer Christ’s compassion . . .
particular concerns of this day . . .
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
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.
Lord of all,
who gave your servants Cyril and Methodius
linguistic gifts to proclaim the gospel to the Slavs:
may all Christians east and west honour one another,
and acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. EH, alt.
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.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
EH Exciting Holiness Edited by Brother Tristam SSF, © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional version of psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version 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 © 2026 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 