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Unlike the other Apostles, whose chief commemoration was celebrated with regards to their death, St. Paul's was celebrated with regards to his Conversion while on the road to Damascus.

Paul, originally named Saul, was a Hellenic Jew who grew up outside the Holy Land and was an early persecutor of the Church. After the event of his Conversion, Paul was instrumental in the spreading of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Several of his writings have been preserved in the New Testament.

There is something notable between our Patron Saint, St. Paul, and our Parish History. St. Stephen's traces it's history back to the earlier parish of St. Paul's. Paul was present at the stoning of St. Stephen as one of the required witnesses to the execution.

At the Mass

The following is taken from:

The Introit

Antiphon: Rejoice we all, and praise the Lord, devoutedly keeping this festival with due solemnity: wherein Paul, the blessed Apostle, by his wonderful conversion did greatly illumine this present world.

Verse: For the light of his holy preaching: and for the conversion of Holy Paul.

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.

Repeat the Antiphon Rejoice we all, and ...

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 174-176

The Collect

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 264

The Lesson
Acts 21. 40.

Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith, I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 21:40-22:16 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 264-265

Gradual and Alleluia

Galatians 2 He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship, was also mighty in me toward the Gentiles: and they perceived the grace that was given unto me. 1 Corinthians 15 The grace of God which was bestowed upon me was not in vain: but his grace ever abideth in me.

Alleluia. Alleluia. The Apostle Paul, chosen vessel: is very worthy to be extolled. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 174-176

The Gospel
St. Luke 21. 10.

And Jesus said unto his disciples, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

Luke 21:10-19 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 265-266

The Offertory

Psalm 139 O how dear are thy friends unto me. O God: O how great is the pre-eminence of them.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 174-176

The Preface

Upon All Saints’ Day and other Festivals of Saints.

Who in the multitude of thy Saints hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, etc.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 81

The Communion

Matthew 19 Amen., I say unto you, that ye which have forsaken all and followed me: shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 174-176

At the Offices

Vigil

Psalm(s): 96, 98
First Lesson: Isaiah 56:1–8
Second Lesson: Acts 26:1–23
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Morning Prayer

Psalm(s): 66, 67
First Lesson: Jeremiah 1:4–10
Second Lesson: Galatians 1:11–end
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Evening Prayer

Psalm(s): 72
First Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 39:1–10
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:1–14
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV