Today's feast commemorates James "the Great", one of Christ's Apostles mentioned in the Gospels. James' Martyrdom is recorded in the Book of Acts, in that he was beheaded on the orders of King Herod, meaning he was the first of the Apostles to suffer death for the sake of Christ.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Psalm 139 Right dear are thy friends unto me, O God, and held in highest honour: their rule and governance is exceeding steadfast.
Verse: Ibid O Lord, thou hast searched me out and known me: thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising.
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 Right dear are thy ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 157-161
Grant, O merciful God, that as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 288
In those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there would be a great famine throughout all the world; which came to pass in the days of the Emperor Claudius. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to do evil to certain of the Church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.
Acts 11:27-12:3a NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 288
Psalm 45 Thou shalt make them princes in all lands: they shall remember thy Name, O Lord. Instead of thy fathers thou shalt have children: therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee.
Alleluia. Alleluia. St. John 15.16. I have chosen you out the world: that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 157-161
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles; and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came, unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, it and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it hath been prepared.
Mark 10:32-40 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 288-289
Psalm 19 Their sound is gone out into all lands: and their words unto the ends of the world.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 157-161
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
St. Matthew 19.28 Ye which have followed me shall sit upon twelve thrones: judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 157-161
Vigil
| Psalm(s): | 31 |
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| First Lesson: | Jeremiah:26:1–15 |
| Second Lesson: | Mark 1:14–20 |
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Morning Prayer
| Psalm(s): | 119 Pts 21,22 |
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| First Lesson: | 2 Kings 1:1–15 |
| Second Lesson: | Luke 9:46–56 |
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Evening Prayer
| Psalm(s): | 116, 117 |
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| First Lesson: | Jeremiah 45 |
| Second Lesson: | Mark 14:32–42 |
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