December 6 / 19 Unless December 6 / 19 be a Sunday wherefore this Feast would then be kept on December 7 / 20 ST. NICHOLAS, THE WONDER-WORKER OF MYRA, C.B. e Processional Responsory (used by the Clergy, for the Procession from the Quire into the Church): From his marble tomb the sacred oil poureth forth, with which the blind, when anointed, are cur-ed. Hearing returneth to the deaf, and the lame are return-ed to wholeness. ‘The people hasten in masses, desiring to behold what miracles are done through him. Hearing returneth to the deaf, and the lame are return-ed to wholeness. The Processional Antiphon (used by the Clergy, for the Procession back from the Church into the Quire) ‘0 loving-kindness of Christ, accompani-ed with every praise, which proclaimeth far and wide the deeds of Thy servant Nicholas, for oil floweth from his tomb, healing all that are lanquish-ed. ‘The Processional Conclusion (used to conclude the Procession): The Lord led the just man through the straight paths. ‘And shew-ed unto him the Kingdom of God. Let us pray. O God, Who didst adorn Thy blesstd Bishop Nicholas with many miracles, grant, we beseech Thee, that through his deeds and prayers We may be saved from the fires of hell. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. BY. Amen. The Of fice (Introit): ‘Behold, the day render-ed honourable by the righteousness of our august father, who did dwell among the people as the bright light of rejoicing on high, wherefore % The Lord hath established a Covenant of peace with him, The King of kings, making a revelation unto all men of the words of salvation, gave protection unto His servant that was confronted with the threats of the rulers ‘And made him a Chief of His people; I is meet that Thou shouldst have establish-ed such a Prelate high upon his throne that is ever obedient unto Thee, O Christ ‘That he should have the priestiy dignity For he fought the good fight upon the Earth; now doth he reign amidst the stars For ever and ever. Ps. My song shall be alway of the loving kindness of the Lord. For he was a lover of the zeal of God, come ye and sing’ The Lord hath established a Covenant of peace with him, And set up a fetter-ed witness for life everlasting; ‘And made him a Chief of His people; that he should have the priestly dignit Vrhat he might most meetly of fer incense before His Altar For ever and ever. YW. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Hosios, keh hereos kata tin taxin Melchisedek. ‘The Lord hath establish-ed a Covenant of peace with him, That he might bud forth as a High Priest rovbed in radiance, And made him a Chief of His people;Amongst the foremost Prelates that preside in the Kingdom of Heaven, That he should have the priestly dignity. Thy flock, O Nicholas, beseecheth thee: be thou heedful for thy people For ever and ever. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, * and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ‘The Lord hath establish-ed a Covenant of ps a Chief of His people; that he should have the priestly with him, and made him ity for ever and ever. The Kyrie should be sung without verses. The Gloria is omitted due to the Season The Collects. ‘The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O God, Who didst adorn Thy blesstd Bishop Nicholas many miracles, grant, we beseech Thee, that through his deeds and prayers we may be saved from the fires of hell. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. BY. Amen. Let us pray. (Here are added any special Col'ects of commemoration. Then are added the following Collects:) If this Mass is celebrated on a Monday, or Tuesday, then the commemoration of Advent is now to be made as follows: Stir up, O Lord, our hearts to prepare the way of Thine ‘Only-Begotten One, that through His Coming we may be deigned fit to serve Thee with pure hearts. But on all other days, the commemoration of Advent is to be made as follows Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy power, and come; may be found fit to be rescued by Thy protection from the ning dangers of our sins, and to be set free by Thy deliverance. On all days, the Collects are then continued as follows: © God, Who wast pleastd that Thy Word should take Flesh in the womb of the ever-Virgin Mary, through the message of an Angel, grant unto us, Thy suppliants, that as we believe her to be truly the God-Bearer, so we may be aided by her intercession before Thee. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the intercession of Mary, the Holy God-Bearer, and of all the holy and heavenly powers, and of the blessed Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, martyrs, confessors, and virgins, and especially ‘Saints NN. (here is mentioned the Saints of both the Western and Eastern Calendars (/E/) whose Feasts fall on this day, December 6 / 19, which are as follows: (but when this Feast is kept on December 7/20, see the list of Saints therein)), {Nicholas {of Myra, C.B.],} Dionysia [of North Africa, M.J, Dativa [of North Africa, M., Leontia [of North Africa, M.J, Tertius [of North Africa, M.I, Emilian [of North Africa, M.| Boniface lof North Africa, M.1, and Three Other Martyrs with them in North Africa, [MM.], and Saints Nicholas {(1), the Great, Pope of Old Rome, C.B.] UE! Nicholas [of Myra, the Wonder-worker, C.B.1,} JE/ Maximos [Metropolitan of Kiev, JE! Nicholas of Karamania in Asia Minor, M.], JE! Nicholas lof Patara, C.B., JE! Theophilos [Patriarch of Antioch, C.B.], Majoricus of North Africa, M.], Auxilius [of Ireland, C-B.], Isserninus [of Ireland, C.B.] Secundinus [of Ireland, C.B.1,Abraham [of Kratia, C.B.], Gertrude [the Elder, of Hamay, Abbess, W.], and all Saints may everywhere make us glad; so that while we commemorate their memory, we may be conscious of their assistance. (The following Collect for the Church need not be added, but is added only if the Celebrant wish, or if the number of Collects otherwise would not be an odd number:) Mercifully receive, O Lord, the prayers of Thy Church; that being delivered from all adversities and errors, It may serve Thee in perfect liberty. (Here may be added up to three more Collects, as the Celebrant wishes, so that the total number of Collects is an odd number not exceeding seven The Collects are then concluded as fotlows:) ‘Through (the Same) Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, 'Y. Through all the ages of ages. BY. Amen. For the Epistle: ‘A Reading from the Book of (the Wisdom of) Ecclesiasticus (the Wisdom of Jesus, the son of Sirach): Behold, a great High Priest that in his days pleased God; He was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange for the worlds ‘There was none like unto him; Who kept the Law of the Most High. ‘Therefore the Lord assured him by an oath, that he would multiply him as the dust of the Earth. With him did He establish likewise the blessing of all men, and the covenant, ‘And made it rest upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessing, and gave him an heritage. ‘And He brought out of him a merciful man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh. ‘And He made him glorious in the sight of kings, and shewed him part of His glory. "And everlasting covenant He made with him, and gave him the Priesthood among the people; He beautified him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory. ‘And to execute the Office of the Priesthood, and to bless in His Name, ‘And to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense, and a sweet savour. (Ecclus. 44: 16, 17, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27; 45: 3,6, 8, 19, 20) BY. Thanks be to God. The Gradual ‘The Cathedral Graduale assigns the following Gradual: ‘Thou, O Lord, hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a diadem of pure gold on his head. ‘YW. He ask-ed life, and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. Thou, O Lord, hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a diadem of pure gold on his head. But the Monastic Graduale assigns the following Gradual: ‘The Lord sware, and will not repent; “Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.” The Lord said unto My Lord: “Sit Thou on My Right Hand.” ‘The Lord sware, and will not repent; “Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.”” The Alleluya: The Cathedral Graduale assigns the following Alleluya and Verse Alleluya. Alleluya. ‘The righteous shall blossom as the lily, and shall flourish for ever before the Lord.Alleluya. But the Monastic Graduale assigns the following Alleluya and Verse: Alleluya. Alleluya. Y. have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of My people. Alleluya. The Sequence: ‘Now triumphing in concord meet let us our voices raise, Upon this yearly festival Saint Nicholas to pralse, Who fasted while an infant yet he did in cradle lie; ‘And at the very breast began to gain some joys on High. ‘To learning he rejoic’d in youth, his reason to apply; Refraining from all vicious stains of sensuality. A blest Confessor: such his dignity a Voice from Heav'n proclaim’d’ By which advancing to the highest grade, of Bishop he is named. Firm in his soul all excellence of piety was found; ‘And many Kindnesses he show'd to the oppress'd around, By gifts of gold he from disgrace the virgins’ honour saved, Relieving, too, their father’s need, by poverty depraved. While certain shipmen made voyage, contending with the ocean's rage, their vessel lost well nigh; When now of safety they despair, in danger’s height uplifting prayer all with one voice outery: “0 Nicholas, thou bless-ed Saint! “In bitterness of death we faint, “Us to some harbour leads “Lead us to some safe shelt’ring place, “Thou who dost by thy kindly grace “So many help in need!” While yet, and not in vain they cried, ‘Lo! I am present,” one replied, “For your protection sent.” Forthwith a gentle breeze arose, ‘The roaring seas sank to repose, The tempest’s rage was spent. Out of his tomb of holy oil distils a fountain rare; at its touch recoil, by virtue of his prayer; this sad world abide, Already shipwreck’d in the tide Of guilt and sin and pain, Thee, glorious Nicholas, we pray: “To that safe harbour shew the way, “Where peace and glory reign.” That unetion unto us accord, By intercession to the Lord, Whereby the sins He heal-ed then Which wounded Mary Magdalene. Let those who celebrate his Feast rejoice for evermore; ‘And Christ reward them with a crown when this life’s race is o’er. The Gospel: ‘The Lord be with you. BY. And with thy spirit. The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. Af that time Jesus said unto His disciples: “4 certain man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey. “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.“And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. “But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. “And so he that hath received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, ‘Lord, thou deliveradst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. “His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; ‘enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ “He also that had received two. talents came and said, ‘Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other’ talents ‘beside them.’ “His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things enter shou into the joy of thy lord.” (Mat. 25: 14-23) BY. Praise be to Thee, O ist. The Creed is omitted. Let us pray. Truth also, and My mercy shall be with him; and in My Name shall his horn be exalted. . have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the peoples And in My Name shall his horn be exalted. ~My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and His Throne as the days of Heaven; ‘And in My Name shall The Secrets: Let us pray. Hallow, we beseech Thee, O Lord, these gifts which we offer in veneration of Thy holy Bishop Nicholas, that through them our life may be everywhere guided both in adversity and prosperity. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and relgneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. BY. Amen. ‘Let us pray. (Here are added any special Secrets of commemoration, if such Collects were added above. Then are added the following Secrets:) If this Mass is celebrated on a Monday, or Tuesday, then the commemoration of Advent is now to be made as follows: Be Pleased, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to accept our humble prayers and. oblations, and whereas our merits avail nothing, suecour us with Thy protection. ‘But on ali other days, the commemoration of Advent is to be made as follows “May these sacred gifts, © Lord, cleanse us by their powerful virtue, and make us to come with more purity to Him Who gave them. On all days, the Secrets are then continued as follows: Strengthen, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our minds in the Mysteries of the ‘True Faith; that we who steadfastly confess Him Who was Conceived of a Virgin to be Very God and Very Man, may, by the Power of the Same Saving Incarnation, be found fit to attain unto everlasting happiness. Graciously receive, O Lord, the gifts which we offer; and through the intercession of Mary, the blessed, and glorious, and ever-Virgin God-Bearer, together with all Thy Saints, defend us from every danger. (The following Secret for the Church should be added only if the Celebrant added the Collect for the Church among the Collects beforehand:) Protect us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, as we wait upon Thy Mysteries; that adhering to Things Divine we may serve Thee both in body and soul. (Here may be added up to three more Secrets, corresponding to the Collects the Celebrant added beforehand, so that the total number of Secrets is an The Of fertor, 1¢ Lord be with you. RY. And with thy spirit. is horn be exalted.odd number not exceeding seven. The Secrets are then concluded as ‘ollows:) Through (the Same) Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, ‘Through all the ages of ages. ‘Amen. ‘The Lord be with you. BY. And with thy spirit. Y_ Lift up your hearts. RY. We lift them up unto the Lord. Y. Let us give thanks unto Our Lord God. Bj. It is meet and right so todo. The Preface: It is very meet and just, right and available for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places-give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God. ‘Thou, Compensator of the faithful, grant,’ we beseech Thee, that this Feast may be venerated in the present celebration; and that we may obtain clemency from the prayers of them that are pleasing unto Thee. And in whose promiséd ceremony we rejoice, may we be uplifted by his gracious support. May it therefore be thought appropriate to ‘Thee, O Lord, ever to bless us in calling upon blesséd Nicholas, to praise us for speaking of him, with a happy completion. And he knew Thee in Faith, heard Thee in deed, and received Thee and trembled before Thee and adornéd Thee in poverty. He hath glorifiéd Thee and born Thee in his body, and possesséd Thee in his conscience, and lovéd Thee in life, and gainéd Thee in glory. And therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the Hosts of Heaven, we chant the Hymn of Thy Glory, without end, sayin; But in some places, the following Preface is said in place of that above: Y. It is very meet and just, right and available for our salvation, that we should at all times’ and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God. And to praise Thee in the strength of Thy Saints; and for these ‘Thou didst arrange the rewards of blessedness; for they are ever in ‘Thy Hand, and the torment of death doth not touch them; whom the circle of blessédness encloseth with Thee keeping watch. | Where they rejoice in continuous and unending exultation; there also Thy blesséd confessor and Bishop Nicholas, having been joined to them, exulteth. We seck, therefore, that there may be a remembrance of our wretched woes; and that of Thy mercy he may plead for us a sharing of his blesstdness, through Christ Our Lord. Through Whom Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominions adore, Powers tremble, the Heavens, and the heavenly Virtues, and the blesstd Seraphim unite in one glad voice in extolling Thee. Together with whom, we pray Thee, that Thou wouldest command that our voices should have entrance, humbly confessing Thee, and saying: (Here follows the Sanctus, the Canon, and the Our Father.) The Benediction with the Holy Mysteries. Y. May God sanctify you with the loving-kindness of his unfai grace, Who went ahead of the glorious Bishop Nicholas with wondrous sanctity, ‘even from the cradle. Bf. Amen. And like as he went rot for gold, but threw it away for the zeal of rescuing the purity of virginity, so may the Lord make you despisers of fleeting wealth, and lovers of sincerest chastity. B’. Amen. ‘That, as He adorned him with the honour of innumerable miracles, so may He to Whom all miracles belong place you in a holy way of life through his example. B/. Amen. ‘Which may He deign to grant, Whose Kingdom and Power remain ‘without end, throughout the ages of ages. BY. Amen. . May the Blessing of God, the Fa~ () ther, and the Son, and the Holy (4) Ghost, and His Peace, remain with you always. RY. Amen. Here follows the Agnus DeiThe Communion: ‘The Cathedral Graduale assigns the following Communion Antiphon: “Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching. Verily,” I say unto you, “He shall make him ruler over all His goods.” ‘Ps. A faithful servant, and prudent, whom the Lord hath made ruler over His houschold, to give them thelr portion of meat in due season. “Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching. Verily,” I say unto you, “He shall make him ruler over all His goods.” Y.“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, % and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. “Bless-ed is that servant, whom His Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching. Verily,” I say unto you, “He shall make him ruler over all His goods.” "But the Monastic Graduale assigns the following Communion Antiphon: ‘A faithful servant, and prudent, whom the Lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season. "Ps. all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. ‘A faithful servant, and prudent, whom the Lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season. . Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, % and to the Holy Ghost. ‘As it was in the beginning, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. ‘A faithful servant, and prudent, whom the Lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season. The Postcommunions: ‘The Lord be with you. BY. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Sacrifice Which we have received on the Feast of Thy holy Bishop Nicholas may strengthen us with lasting protection. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and igneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. ‘Amen. Let us pray. (Here are added any special Postcommunions of commemoration, if such Collects were added above. Then are added the following Postcommunions:) If this Mass is celebrated on a Monday, or Tuesday, then the commemoration of Advent is now to be made as follows. Refreshed and nourished with This Spiritual Food and Drink, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that by participation in This Mystery Thou wouldest teach us to despise earthly, and to love heavenly things. ‘But on all other days, the commemoration of Advent is to be made as follows. “May we receive, O Lord, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy ‘Temple, and anticipate with due honours the approaching solemnity of our restoration. On all days, the Postcommunions are then continued as follows: Pour down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that as we have known the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, by the message of an Angel, so by His Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of His Resurrection. We have received, O Lord, This Heavenly Sacrament, celebrating the memory of the blessed God-Bearer, the ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Thy Saints; grant, we beseech Thee, that assisted by their prayers, what we now do in this transitory life, we may fulfil in joy everlasting. (The following Postcommunion for the Church should be added only if the Celebrant added the Collect for the Church among the Collects beforehand:)We beseech Thee, © Lord Our God, that Thou wilt not suffer those whom ‘Thou makest to rejoice as partakers of Thy Divine Gifts to be subject to any human peril. Mere may be added up to three more Postcommunions, corresponding to the Collects the Celebrant added beforehand, so that the total number of Postcommunions is an odd number not exceeding seven. The Postcommunions are then concluded as follows:) ‘Through (the Same) Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, 'Y. Through all the ages of ages. Amen. The Final Prayer Over The People. The Celebrant then adds a Final Prayer over the people by chanting: Y. Let us pray. The Deacon (or Priest, if there be no Deacon) then chants: Bow down your heads before God. The Celebrant then concludes the prayer as follows. ;-,0 God; Thou That dost freely accept the prayer of Thy Salnts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the interceeding of blessed Nicholas, protect Thy family by Thy compassionate Right Hand through all times and throughout all places. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and relgneth with Bee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. ‘Amen. The Dismissal. ‘The Lord be with you. RY. And with thy spirit. Let us bless the Lord. RY. Thanks be to God. The Pontifical Blessing: May Almighty God give you an abundance of His Blessing, Who took bless8d Nicholas to Himself by virtue of his profession of Faith. By. Amen. May He, Who made him abound with miracles, encourage you to the increase of good works. BY. Amen. ‘And by this may ye, both learned by his example and fortit intercession, be abie to be joined with him in the Heavenly Realm. By. Amen. Which may He deign to grant, Whose Kingdom and Power remain without end, throughout the ages of ages. BY. Amen. "May the Blessing of God, the Fa- (&) ther, and the % Son, and the Holy (&) Ghost, and His Peace, remain with you always. Rf. Amen,