June 29th
The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
Introit: Acts xii. 11
Now I know in very deed, that the Lord has sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. [Ps.] Lord, Thou hast probed me and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. Glory be to the Father.... Now I know....
Collect:
O God, who hast made holy this day with the martyrdom on Thine apostles Peter and Paul; grant that Thy Church may in all things follow the precepts of those from whom it first received the Faith.
Epistle: Acts of the Apostles xii. 1-11
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles:
In those days, Herod the king stretched forth his hand to afflict some of the
Church. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword; and seeing that it
pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of
the unleavened bread, and when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison;
delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the Pasch
to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer
was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him. And when Herod would
have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,
bound with chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold,
an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the room; and he,
striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: "Arise quickly!"
And the chains fell off from his hands; and the angel said to him: "Gird
thyself, and put on thy sandals." And he did so. And he said to him:
"Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." And going out, he
followed him. And he knew not that all of this was being done by an angel,
thinking that it was but a vision. And passing through the first and the second
ward, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which, of itself,
opened to them. And going out they passed on through one street, and immediately
the angel departed from him. And Peter, coming to himself, said: "Now I
know in very deed, that the Lord has sent His angel, and hath delivered me out
of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the
Jews."
Gradual: Ps. xliv. 17-18
Thou shalt make them princes over the whole earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord. For thy fathers, sons are born to thee: therefore shall people praise thee.
Alleluia, alleluia. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. Alleluia!
Matthew xvi. 13-19
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The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Cæsarea Philippi, and He asked His disciples: "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" And they said: "Some, John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Then Jesus said to them: "But whom do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answering, said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood hast not revealed it to thee, but My Father, who is in heaven. And I say to thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
The Creed is said throughout the octave.
Offertory: Ps. xliv. 17-18
Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth; they shall remember Thy name, O Lord, throughout all generations.
Secret:
May the prayer of Thine apostles accompany the divine Victim which we offer to Thy name; and grant that by it we may be cleansed and defended.
The Preface of the Apostles
is recited throughout the octave.
Communion: Matthew xvi. 18
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My Church.
Postcommunion:
Thou hast fed us with bread from heaven, O Lord; by the prayers of Thine holy apostles keep us from all harm.
