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2005/05/31

Good Wars by Darrell Cole

"Soldiers who fight for love of God and neighbor" ... "A failure to engage in a just war is a failure of virtue, a failure to act well."

http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0110/articles/cole.html#gotop

The author looks at Aquinas, Calvin, and others in Church history; as well as voices of today who take various stances concerning individuals and nations in wars vis-�-vis Christianity.

I’ve placed a permanent link to this on the Order’s Links page under "Articles"

2005/05/30

NEW - Memorial Day Prayer

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen

 
now linked to our Prayer page and apporopriate for any nationality
 
 

US Memorial Day

Today, Monday 30 May, is the United States Memorial Day http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html 
3:00 pm is the Moment of Remembrance.
 
"Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men."
[Pericles offered this tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War more than 24 centuries ago]
 
May we all join with US centurions in praying for a permanent peace throughout the world, and particularly in the Middle East
 
 �For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.� (Rom. 14:17) 
 

2005/05/29

First Sunday after Trinity

First Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jeremiah xxiii. 23, Psalm 73, 1 St. John iv. 7 & St. Luke xvi. 19 and Homily
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity1.html#readings

If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.


2005/05/28

Julius, Martyr, Legionary 27 May 302 and companions

Julius'  martyrdom happened on the 27th of May, two days after that of Pasicrates, about the year 302, in the reign of Dioclesian, at Durontoro, on the Danube, in the second Moesia.
 
 
O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Julius
and his companions
triumphed over suffering and were faithful even
unto death:  Grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving,
to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we
may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

2005/05/27

New Article - Fear the Lord

I highly commend this article from Dr. Peter Toon of the Prayer Book Society. Our motto in the Order is "Fear God and do what is right", based on a theme that pervades Old and New Testament books.
 
Dr. Toon discusses a recent change in attitude toward reverence for God that he believes has affected the very foundations of orthodox faith.
 
Dumbing Down by the Orthodox! : Where are the God Fearing
 

New Links

New on our Order of Centurion Links page

* Under Commentary:
One of our tribunes h.c. has commended this magazine which is on line with articles back to 92
http://www.firstthings.com/index.html
FIRST THINGS is published by The Institute on Religion and Public Life, an interreligious, nonpartisan research and education institute whose purpose is to advance a religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society.

* Under Service:
Labarum Guard (Notional)
http://orderofcenturions.org/labarum_guard/index.html
The Notional Service arm of the Order

* Under Ecclesiastical
Affiliation and Philosophy
http://orderofcenturions.org/affiliation.html
A paper strongly emphasizing our independent nature, the nature of our affiliation with the apostolic church, our orthodox, conservative, and traditional tone, and a philosophy of our activities to ensure the edification of the brothers of the Order while avoiding religious issues that may be contentious.

in hoc signo vinces

2005/05/24

Constantine May 22 [trasnferred]

Commemoration of Emperor Constantine 275-337. See a succinct page on his life and contributions to the Church here
 
 

Constantine's Army Prayer

We know Thou art God alone;
we recognize in Thee our king.
We call on Thee for aid.
From thee we receive victory,
through thee we are made greater than our enemies.

We recognize thy grace in present blessings
and hope on Thee for the future.
We all beseech Thee, we implore Thee
to preserve our king Constantine
and his pious sons safe and victorious to the end or our days.

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/constantines_prayer.html

Centurio Acacius of Byzantium - Martyr

Click on link for description and beautiful picture of a statue dedicated to Acacius who was martyred in the reign of Diocletian
 
Almighty God, who didst give thy servant Centurio Acacius boldness to
confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers
of this world, and courage to die for this faith:  Grant that we
may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in
us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord
Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

2005/05/21

Trinity Sunday

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God * O come, let us adore him
See announcements at bottom
 
Trinity Sunday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Numbers xxi. 4., Psalm 29,   Revelation iv. 1   &   St. John iii.  1 & Homily
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity.html#readings

as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

US ARMED FORCES DAY



The Order of Centurions salutes its Christian members whose names are enrolled in the Armed Forces of the United States: active duty, reserve components, and retired, both at home and abroad.
 
"On 27 February 1950, President Harry Truman announced by proclamation the observance of Armed Forces Day. This single-day observance would not only replace separate Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps days, it would also reflect the unification of our armed forces under the Department of Defense.

"This Armed Forces Day," declared President Truman, "marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality." General Omar Bradley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was more reflective. "Sacrifice, not selfishness," he said, "must be the eternal price of liberty. Vigilance, not appeasement, is the byword of living freedoms." Former Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower noted, "It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world."

Armed Forces Day is thus reserved to honor American Patriots in uniform -- the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines standing in harm's way so that we might live free. This year, AFD is Saturday, 21 May. And on that day, we at The Federalist Patriot, on behalf of the vast majority of our fellow Americans, will proudly and enthusiastically reaffirm our support to the fighting forces of this great nation"  Mark Alexander, 21 May 05

I bid your special prayers today for these servicmen. You may like to use these prayers from our website Soldiers & Airmen http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/army_prayer.html
Sailor & Marines http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/navy_prayer.html

ihsv,

Mark

2005/05/20

Pray for Peace in the Middle East

Centurions:
 
As we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, I share this article on some of Colonel Oliver North's experiences and insights on the War in Iraq and the men and women serving there to bring peace.
 
Winning in Iraq, one step at a time
 
Our Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen rescue wounded comrades; weep openly over loss; pass out candy, teddy bears and soccer balls; and share their food, water, hugs, smiles, and dreams for a better future for all God's children. They are the best ambassadors we have, and they are doing yeoman's work in assuring a brighter future here in this dusty, unforgiving land
 
ihsv,
 
Mark

2005/05/18

Whit Embertide Wed, Fri, Sat

 Ember Days
At the Four Seasons

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44   &   St. Luke iv. 16 and Homily and Prayers for Clergy and Candidates
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/ember.html

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me


The Ember days are four groups of three days, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday set aside for fasting. They occur after the First Sunday in Lent, Pentecost, Holy Cross Day (September 14), and St. Lucy's Day (December 13). that correspond to the natural seasons of the year. The word Ember is English and is realted to the Latin for the four seasons Quatuor Temporum. Autumn brings the September, or Michaelmas, Embertide; winter, the Advent Embertide; Spring, the Lenten Embertide; and in summer, the Whit Embertide (named after Whitsunday, the Feast of Pentecost). The Embertides are periods of prayer and fasting, and having a collect and reading. Zechariah 8:19 called for four fasts a year "fast of the fourth month, and a fast of the fifth, and a fast of the seventh, and a fast of tenth" In the days of Jesus, Jews fasted on Tuesday and Thursday as Friday was the day of preparation for the Sabath. The Early Church changed this custom and fasted Wednesday because it was the day Jesus was betrayed, and Friday because it was the day he was crucified. In the West, Christians added Saturday to the fasting days in the four seasons. In 494, Gelasius I of Rome, set Ember Saturdays for ordinations at the end of the fast (see Acts 13:3)

2005/05/16

Tuesday in Whitsun Week
Alleluai! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world *
O come let us adore him. Alleluia!


GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.


Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2005/05/15

Monday in Whitsun Week

Alleluai! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world *
O come let us adore him. Alleluia!

NOTE: If you follow the custom of the ancient Church, Eastertide-Ascensiontide being completed, kneeling is appropriate during the week. Fasting and special devotion is appropriate on Wednesday and Friday weekly, and for this week in Embertide, on Saturday.

Monday in Whitsun Week

Send, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Acts x. 34 & St. John iii. 16 & Homily 
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/whitsun_monday.html#readings

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.


 

2005/05/14

Pentecost

Pentecost , commonly called Whitsunday

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

This Collect is to be said daily throughout Whitsun Week.



We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God




Joel ii. 28, Psalm 68, Acts ii. 1. St. John xiv. 15 & Homily.
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/whitsunday.html 

2005/05/13

The Chaplains

Blessed Be the Lord ... Who Trains My Arms for Battle" -- Psalm 144:1

 "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be." -- Father Tim Vakoc, Army chaplain

Commend this article by Lt. Col (Ret) Oliver North find it here http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ollienorth/on20050326.shtml

I recommend you review some of his previous articles as well. See them listed here http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ollienorth/on20050326.shtml

Colonel North has been long recognized as a Christian Warrior.


 

GERARD of Villamagna 13 May Esquire, Crusader, Hermit

GERARD of Villamagna born 1174 in Tuscany Italy. He died in 1242 and was buried in Villamagna. He served as an esquire to a knight in the crusades in Palestine and there joined the Order of St John of Jerusalem. He was received by Francis in the Order of Penance and became a hermit.

Painting of Gerard http://www.smom-za.org/images/mecatti.jpg

Next to Hugh and Ubaldesca, Gerard is held in the highest esteem by the Order of Malta. See a very complete account of his life at link after the collect.

"O God, who called blessed Gerard, like your own Son, to intense striving in the wilderness, strengthen us by penance and prayer and make us fitter for our Christian duties. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." 

http://www.smom-za.org/smom/saints/gerard_mecatti.htm

 

2005/05/12

Tribune of Jerusalem

Today (12 May 05) in the Chapel of the Centurions (On-line) I went to Sacred Space for the Holy Reading. It was Acts 23:6-11.

I read:
When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Strong's Greek lists the word as
cilivarcoß Chiliarchos (khil-ee'-ar-khos); Word Origin: Greek, Noun Masculine, Strong #: 5506
1 a chiliarch, the commander of a thousand soldiers
2 the commander of a Roman cohort (a military tribunal)
3 any military commander

This Tribune moved quickly to stop the violence that might have ended Paul's mission. We are not told that he was a God-fearing man, but he may well have been moved by God to take the action he did. Whether or not that was the case, it is clear that he performed his duties to protect a good man from assault and for that we can salute him and be thankful.

2005/05/10

Victor of Milan - Praetorian Guard- Martyr 303

Victor Legionary of the Praetorian Guard. Became a Christian as a young man In about 303, after retirement, he was arrested in the city of Milan under the persecutions of Maximian. He was basted in molten lead, and killed for his faith. see more here http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintv28.htm

http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/Victor.html Ancient text here, fantastic sounding

Cute saint "card" here http://franciscancards.com/java.shtml?pod-5/pod5-8.jav

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost enkindle the name of thy love in the hearts of the Saints; Grant to us, thy humble servants, the same faith and power of love; that, as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may profit by their examples; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2005/05/08

Pachomius, Legionary, Monastic - 346 [9 May]

Pachomius -- Father of monasticism - 292 - 346 Egypt 9 May
 
Drafted, befriended Christians who treated the soldiers well, baptized after discharge. Founded the first order of monks that numbered over 7,000 and lasted for 600 years.
 
 
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast called us to faith in thee, and hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good examples of thy Saints, and especially of thy servant Saint Pachomius, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at length, through thy mercy, we, with them, attain to thine eternal joy; through him who is the author and finisher of our faith, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
 

2005/05/04

Ascension Day

 Forty Days after the Resurrection

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Daniel 7:9, Psalm 96, Acts i.1    St. Luke xxiv. 49.
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/ascension.html


US Day of Prayer - 5 May 05

For US Centurions...
 
Thursday, 5 May, is the United States of America's National Day of Prayer (also Ascension Day... post to follow)
 
First, I invite you to read this excerpt I got from the Federalist from our Commander in Chief:

"Since our Nation's earliest days, prayer has given strength and comfort to Americans of all faiths. Our Founding Fathers relied on their faith to guide them as they built our democracy. Today, we continue to be inspired by God's blessings, mercy, and boundless love. As we observe this National Day of Prayer, we humbly acknowledge our reliance on the Almighty, express our gratitude for His blessings, and seek His guidance in our daily lives. Throughout our history, our Nation has turned to prayer for strength and guidance in times of challenge and uncertainty. ... Across our country, Americans turn daily to God in reverence. We ask Him to care for all those who suffer or feel helpless, knowing that God sees their needs and calls on us to meet them. As our first President wrote in 1790, 'May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths.' As we face the challenges of our times, God's purpose continues to guide us, and we continue to trust in the goodness of His plans." --President George W. Bush

Next, I bid your prayers for America, our President, your Governor and Congressmen, our service members and their leaders, the Church in America, and for peace and prosperity, families, communities, etc.

One might like to use a Litany of Prayers with special intention for America - pausing for the different verses and thinking of those things in your life that you wish to hold up in prayer. See it here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/litany.html

Finally, here is the National Day of Prayer web site: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/

"God shed His grace on thee."

2005/05/03

Just War, As It Was and Is

Centurions

Just War, As It Was and Is

James Turner Johnson is Professor of Religion at Rutgers University
 
A good history, interesting analysis of the current state of the world vis-a-vis traditional ethos of war, and the challenges we face. 
 
Long, well done.  You may also like to browse through the entire First Things Website. There appear to be many articles http://www.firstthings.com/ . The editor is The Reverend Richard John Neuhaus who, before "Crossing the Tiber" was a Missouri Synold Lutheran minister for 30 years. http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0204/articles/neuhaus.html
 
 
 
 

2005/05/02

Rogation Sunday Sermon Site

ave centurionus:
 
Today is the first of the Rogation days and Sunday was Rogation Sunday . The collect and readings for the days are here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/rogation.html.
 
I came across and excellent sermon on another forum that I commend to you that explains the name Rogation, as well as the Scriptures appointed for Rogation Sunday. The author is The Rev William Klock of the Reformed Episcopal Church. I hope to add his sermon site to our Lessons and Homilies Page directly so that you will have access to his sermons as they use the same calendar as we have on our page.
 
 
Mark
 
 


   MARK CARROLL  
TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
ORDER OF CENTURIONS
"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him,
watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done,
they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God"


2005/05/01

The Fifth Sunday after Easter

 O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Isaiah i. 10, Psalm 51, St. James i. 22, St. John xvi. 23 and Homily

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter5.html 

Be ye doers of the Word