The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements for the week beginning 4 September 05 below.  NOTE that the main page on the webstite is pointing to an old page.  the page

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/index.html will work. Problem is under investigation by the ISP

KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gelasius [494]. Jesus promised us the help of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us [Jn 14:26]. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us it is charity that is profitable. [Barbee & Zahl]

Deuteronomy vii. 6-13, Psalm 103, Galatians vi. 11   &   St. Matthew vi. 24

Homilies

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Eudoxius, Comitus Hegemon (general), Zeno, Macarius, & Companions - Martyrs -- September 6th (285-305)

Romillus, Preposit of the Imperial Court - September 6th (98-117)

Adrian - September 8th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Survivors & rescue operations -- Hurricane Katrina
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

King Oswald and Abbot Aidan - 31 August

King Oswald of Northumbria who was martyred in the year 642. His normal feast day is August 5th. Oswald is counted a saint for his evangelcal efforts to restore Christianity to Northern England. His story is intertwined with that of the Abbot Aidan, whom he recruited from Iona where he was a monk, and where Oswald had accepted Christ as Saviour. Aidan is remembered by the Church on August 31.

Almighty God, we remember this day thy Servant Oswald, who restored the Christian faith in Northumbria, restored places of worhsip, and served his Bishop-Abbot Aidan as an evangelist and interpreter. Grant that our bishops and civil authorities might follow the good example of Aidan and Oswald, in humbling themselves to better serve thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns in unity with you and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

http://www.britannia.com/bios/saints/oswald.html

An Homily: Today's centurion martyr is Oswald, who we remember with his bishop Aidan

Abbot Aidan - 31 August, 651 Linisfarne & Oswald, Northumbria 642

O loving God, who didst call thy servant Aidan from the Peace of a cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England, and didst endow him with gentleness, simplicity, and strength: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may use what thou hast given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.

Is 61 , St. Matthew 19:17-30 Psalm 85:8-13

Today the Church remembers Adian - Abbot and Bishop of Lindisfarne in Northern England, and we also remember his King and companion, Oswald. Bede said of Aidans missionary work: "many Northumbrians, both noble and simple, laid aside their weapons, preferring to take monastic vows rather than study the art of war."

We begin our story in 627, when Bishop Paulinus of York led a mission from Canterbury to Northern England and converted King Edwin of Northumbria. Then just five years later, Edwin died in battle and the pagans took over. Oswald, who was Edwin's nephew, went in to exile in the Columba's monastery of Iona and there was baptized.

Oswald returned to Northumbria and regained the Kingdom. He set about to evangelize the kingdom. The first attempt failed, the missionary saying the Northumbrians were too barbaric. A young monk named Aidan, hearing the missionary complain, said "Perhaps you were too harsh with them, and they might have responded better to a gentler approach." He was thereupon selected for the job.

Aidan was an austere monk. He operated out of Lindendfarn - an island off the northeast coast of England , now often called Holy Isle. He was successful, with the help of King Oswald, in restoring Christianity.

Aidan died on 31 August, 651. The historian Bede said of him:

"He neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distributing immediately to the poor whatever was given him by kings or rich men of the world. He traversed both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity. Wherever on his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he invited them, if pagans, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, he sought to strengthen them in their faith and stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works."

Bede says that Aidan was once given a horse by King Oswald, the legend goes that when he then turned about and gave it to a poor peasant, Oswald rebuked him. Bede reports: Aidan turned on the king: "is the son of a mare is more important to you than a son of God?" The king then set aside his sword and prostrated himself at the bishop's feet and begged forgiveness. This alarmed Aidan: "I know this king will not live long", he said privately to a colleague, "for I never before saw a humble king."

Remember our Gospel today. Jesus, perceiving that the young man loved his wealth more than anything else said to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

I presume he could not bring himself to do so, but left the presence of our master.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

the disciples then asked Who then can be saved?

Jesus, looking upon them with compassion, comforted them saying: With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Peter, just a bit concerned at this point, let Jesus know that they had all forsaken their possessions to follow him, and Jesus assured them they would be enthroned in heaven and eat at his board.

Consider now, if you will, the story of Aidan in 650 and some of the religous figures in our time that have enriched themselves. Does Jesus still speak to us today, is his message still valid when he says " every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, whose servant Aidan, following our Saviour's example, abased himself to better serve thee and his King Oswald in restoring Christianity to Northern England; grant that we may put aside all manner of worldly cares, and seek thy will in all we do; through Jesus Christ

The Reverend Mark Carroll, 2005

Julian, Retired Army Officer, Martyr 28 Aug

St Julian of Brioude in the Auvergne, Retired Roman Officer, Martyr

 

Almighty God, our Refuge from tyranny, whose servant Julian of Brioude in the Auvergne, a retired Roman army Officer, did confess thy Holy name in the face of certain death; grant us the courage to acknowledge thee as the only true God before all men, knowing that we should fear no man; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. 

 

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintjda.htm

 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements below

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Very earliest of the Sacramentaries [440]. 1 Corinthans 13:13 "now abideth faith, hope, and charity... There are two petitions, to give us increase, and secondly to make us to love reminds us of Romans 6:17... being "obdeient from the heart" [Barbee and Zahl]

Micah vi. 1, Psalm 19, Galatians v. 16   &  St. Luke xvii. 11

Homilies

Master, have mercy on us

 

Announcements for the week beginning 28 August 05

Feasts and Fasts
Julian, Centurion of Brioude (Auvergne), Martyr - August 29th [Transferred]

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle 24 August

 Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
24 August

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Anglican Breviary says this is the same Apostle as Nathaniel, whom is associated with Philip in the Gospel of John of whom Jesus said, "Behold, and Isrealite indeed, in whom is no guile" Ancient tradition has it that Bartholomew "Son of Tolmai" was flayed alive at Albanopolis in Armenia. Eusebius reported that when Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India between 150 and 200 he found there Matthew's Gospel that had been left by Bartholomew. His relics were translated to Rome on August 24th by Emporer Otho III.

Acts v. 12   &  St. Luke xxii. 24

Homilies

Centurion Luxurius, with Camerinus and Cisellus, Martyrs 21 Aug Transferred

A good and ancient history at the link of these three martyrs,  who refused to sacrifice under Diocletian persecution of the Church and were tortured and beheaded. Luxiurius was likely and Optio or Centurion from reading the history. The others were neophyte youths: 

http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/Luxurius.html 

 

The Psalm 85, referred to in the history that opened Luxurius' eyes and heart, is Psalm 86 by our reckoning.. here is a link

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Psalm+86

 

O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyrs
Luxurius, Camerinus and Cisellus 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.

Mark

 

 

 

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

 ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Bishop Leo I [440-461] Sacrementary. Archbishop Cranmer added "only", and the original aspiration phrase read, "that we may so run to thy heavenly promises, that we fail not finally to attain the same, through Christ our Lord"

Announcements for the week beginning 21 August 05

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Please all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Luxurius, Camerinus, and Cisellus, Legionaries - August 21th

Bartholomew the Apostle -- August 24th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Deuteronomy xxiv. 10 Galatians iii. 16   &  St. Luke x. 23

Homilies

Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself ...
this do, and thou shalt live

Evgeny of Chechnya, Soldier, Martyr 20 Aug 2002

O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Evgeny of Chechnya triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with himthe 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.

 

Captured, threatened, killed for his faith by his captors, the Checnens

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

William P Dubose, Theologian, Soldier, Presbyter 18 August

In preparing a Wednesday Evening homily this week, I discovered this latter-day "centurion" on the Episcopal Church calendar, who is known as the Greatest Theologian the American Episcopal Church has produced.

Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant William Porcher DuBose special gifts as both a Christian soldier and a theologian: Grant, we beseech thee, that we may follow his example of service to thee, and be transformed into the image of Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 Cor ii. 1, Psalm 27, St. Luke ix. 28 ,bio and Homily of DuBose

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Leo [460], revised by Gelasius [494]. 1662 revision by Bishop Cosin added and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. [Barbee and Zahl] The Collect compliments the mercies shown by our Lord in our Gospel story today wherein all recognized his work saying, "He had done all things well"

Isaiah xxix. 18, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians iii. 4   &  St. Mark vii. 31
Homilies

He hath done all things well

Florence Nightingale, Nurse, 13 Aug

Florence Nightingale, Nurse, 12 May 1820 - 13 Aug 1910

 

She provided nursing care in the Crimean war, and was a most important part of the Army medical staff team. She revolutionized nursing. She was later to influence the Army and the Crown to start a Medical Staff Corps to administer health care expressly so as to improve it. She was loved by the soldiers she nursed.  See her most amazing story here

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/05/18.html

 

Life-giving God, who alone hast power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the example of thy servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them thy Presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

Litany History & Centurion's Daily Litany

centurionum, primus pilus salutem

 

This is a historical note on litanies showing that centurions of the Early Church would have used the litany prayer  forms,  and a reflection on the Centurion's Daily Litany that was prepared by one of our members and published recently.

 

From Everyman's History of the Prayer Book by Percy Dearmer: [1912]

 

Litanies existed in the 4th century, or earlier, petitions, that is to say, followed by the Greek words, Kyrie eleison ("Lord have mercy"), and afterwards by other responses also. Before it came to be used as a separate service, this type of Litany was already in the Byzantine rite a prominent part of the Holy Communion Service: it still is so, and indeed what strikes the traveller most about the celebration of the Liturgy in Greece or Russia is the deep-voiced deacon, chanting the litanies on the foot-pace in front of the altar-screen, while the choir and people respond.

 

If you used our Centurion's Daily Litany for  prayer, you'll of course notice the similarities between our form and the ancient form described above:

 

1. The Centurion's Daily Litany begins with petitions for our daily walk with God, and is actually intended for corporate worship as there are responses and the pronoun "us" is used.  I, and others, use it daily and so you can be assured that "us" is proper -- in saying it you will be in the "company" of other saints.

 

2. The Centurion's Daily Litany moves then to intercessions for specifically named "saints" of the living church, the Church Militant, who are in the Order (I've used saints here in the same way that it was first used and is found in scripture... all those who are in Christ. [Rom 8-27, Eph 16:18] and a general intercession for peace.

 

3.  The Centurion's Daily Litany has the ancient Kyrie eleison  "Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.

 

4. The Centurion's Daily Litany has concluding prayers, for all centurions, and for ourselves as centurions - the Prayer of the Order.

 

I encourage you to use the Centurion's Daily Litany for the named centurions each week and others centurions, by name, for whom we have requested your prayers. You need not stop there, the litany may be expanded to include others.  For instance, I have three friends in Iraq now that I include in my recitation of the daily litany.

 

You may even wish to make up you own litany. The Centurion's Daily Litany provides a good example, and so does this Litany of Prayers, or a General Supplication adopted for the Order.

 

vale

 

Mark

Links used in this paper.

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

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

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/everyman_history/

 

Pool of Siloam Discovered

THE WORLD
Biblical Pool Uncovered in Jerusalem
The reservoir served as a gathering place for Jews making pilgrimages and is said in the Gospel of John to be the site where Jesus cured a blind man.
By Thomas H. Maugh II
Times Staff Writer (LA Times)

August 9, 2005

Workers repairing a sewage pipe in the Old City of Jerusalem have
discovered the biblical Pool of Siloam, a freshwater reservoir that
was a major gathering place for ancient Jews making religious
pilgrimages to the city and the reputed site where Jesus cured a man
blind from birth, according to the Gospel of John.


"Scholars have said that there wasn't a Pool of Siloam and that John
was using a religious conceit" to illustrate a point, said New
Testament scholar James H. Charlesworth of the Princeton Theological
Seminary. "Now we have found the Pool of Siloam exactly where John
said it was."

for rest of article see here
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-sci-siloam9aug09,1,1584700.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

A PRAYER BOOK FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

A PRAYER BOOK FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

 

I found this interesting publication, issued by the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America during World War II for those in the Armed Forces. I commend especially the prayer chapter, for there are many there that I've not seen before. One example, a Collect for Loyalty, is shown below the link. If you have loved ones or comrades who are serving in a hostile environment, they might appreciate some of these.

 

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/S&S_index.htm

 

Almighty God, grant us thy gift of loyalty. For our homes, give us love and obedience; for our country, sacrifice and service; for our Church, reverence and devotion; and in everything make us true to thee; through thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

11the Sunday after Trinity

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Announcements Below

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasius [492-496]. Orignially Cranmer translated it faithfully, but it was altered in the 1662 update by adding the phrase " running the way of thy commandments, may obtain ". This has been seen to diminish the emphasis on God's grace and shift it to obedience of the Law. The Collect's emphasis on Grace, compliments the story of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in today's Gospel story from Luke.  [Barbee and Zahl: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer]

Isaiah xxvi. 12, Psalm 125, 1 Corinthians xv. 1   &  St. Luke xviii. 9

Homily of John Chrysostom on Corinthians' Lesson

Announcements for the week beginning 7 July 05



Please hold these and all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts

Florence Nightingale, Nurse to Combatants - August 13

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training,
Peace in the Mideast
Members traveling home from the Bishop's Meeting in Arkansas

The Transfiguration of Christ [6 August]

The Transfiguration of Christ

O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Exodus xxxiv. 29; Psalm 27, 2 St. Peter i. 13    St. Luke ix. 28

Homilies

Latin and other Language Courses/Texts On the Web

Centurions  salutem dicit Primus Pilus

 

I wanted to share this website with you that lists free language courses on line. I am particularly interested in picking up the Latin,  and I'll list them individually

 

The entire list of all languages is here: http://www.word2word.com/coursead.html#latin

 

An 1888 Book on Latin is here http://www.hhhh.org/perseant/libellus/aides/allgre/

 

STUDY GUIDE TO WHEELOCK LATIN is here http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/Wheelock-Latin/  (this is the most widely used Latin textbook used on college campuses said the author in 92. His guide helps you with the Wheelock textbook)

 

Latin - Virtual School of Languages http://www.learnlatin.tk/

 

Textbook 1908 - New Latin Grammar http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/PG/Bennett/bennett.htm

 

Latin - the easy was the way the Romans learned it.  small site   http://www.cherryh.com/www/latin_language.htm

 

finis

 

curate ut valeatis

The Marine and the Spider

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.


Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.


As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

 

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close.  He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. "Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

Amen

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements below

 

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Gelasian Sacramentary [492-496] and one similar appeared before in in the Leionine. [Barbee & Zahl]  The petition reminds one of Romans: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 8:26-27

Lamentations i. 1, Psalm xlii, 1 Corinthians xii. 1   &   St. Luke xix. 41

Homilies

Announcements

our primary site is up, but we cannot post to it yet, links will take you to an alternate site for today's lessons and homily. Chrysostom homily is long. You may wish to save the homily file to your desktop to review and study over the week.

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts : Transfiguration 6 August, Saturday

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training,
Peace in the Mideast

Order's Site Down

The Order's web site is down due to maintenance by the Internet Service Provider

 

For those who use the Chapel or other resouces, this alternate site is operative with basic files

 

http://geocities.com/orderofcenturions/

 

 

Mark

Chrysostom's LONG Homilies

ave centurions

 

If you viewed the homily by Chrysostom this past Sunday on the Weekly Sunday Collect post from the Order of Centurions, you would have noted that John Chrysostom was verbose by today's standard ( One site recommended a 15 minute sermon in an interesting analysis I read this past week.)

 

If you find these Chrysostom homilies to be lengthy, an alternative to trying to read through the entire Chrysostom homily in one sitting is to come back to it through the week. That has two benefits, one is to reinforce the Scripture reading and the Collect, and the second is the ability to read a portion of his sermon that is tied to specific verses for deeper reflection. As we go through this year with an emphasis on Chrysostom for study, you'll see that verse-by-verse exposition is Chrysostom's style, and lends itself to a more detailed meditation and reflection on Scripture verses without loosing the whole of his homily.

 

If computer Internet time is a problem, and you wish to use it throughout the week, may I suggest you save the Weekly Collect Scripture and Homily to a file on your desktop so that you can refer back to it off line until finished. (file- save as, and navigate to the desktop to save)

 

IHSV

 

Mark

Again, I will ask you another thing also. Which is higher? He who acts as a priest to God and offers sacrifice? or he who is somewhere far removed from confidence towards Him? And what manner of sacrifice doth the lowly man offer? one may say. Hear David saying, “The sacrifice of God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humbled heart God will not despise.”  John Chrysostom: Homily LXV, on Matt xx appointed for St James 25 July] [400 AD]  - For we are a Kingdom of Priests [Rev 1:6]

Saint James [July 25]

Saint James
[July 25th]

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 the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James Bar-Zebedee "the Major", brother of John, slain by Herod Agrippa I in about 42 AD [Acts xi.]. This collect recalls Matthew iv. 21-22 when Jesus called James and John from their work as fishermen to leave their ship and their father and follow him

Jeremiah xlv   Psalm 34   Acts xi. 27   &   St. Matthew xx. 20
Homily of John Chrysostom on Gospel Reading [ca. 400AD]

but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister

---

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements below

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source Leonine [440-461] taken in the Gelasian Sacramentary [492-496]. The 1662 Prayer Book revision added "who cannot do anything that is is good". One is reminded of Paul's Epistle to Philemon vs 1:6 "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." The Collect clearly points to God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in aiding us to do good. This theme was made a canon in the ecumenical councils and is part of the Order's vow. Today's Gospel story of the Prodigal Son reminds us of our innate nature and weakness and God's mercy and strength, as does the Epistle, that God will help us in the day of temptation..

1 Corinthians x. 1 & St. Luke xv. 11

Homilies

Announcements for the week beginning 24 July 05

Feasts and Fasts

James, Apostle [July 25th]

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training,
Peace in the Mideast

Camillus of Lellus, Soldier, Caregiver, Presbyter 1550-1614

Soldier, Son of an Officer, wounded fighting against the Turks. Later turned from gambling and such to serve Christ as hospital worker, eventually administrator. Founded Congregation of the Servants of the Sick (the Camellians). Here is one site in Thiland where there is a chapter  http://www.ticnet.co.uk/camillus/order.html

 

See More about Camillus here http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc09.htm

 

And here a history on the order he founded with two other men from a current guild

http://www.cmalansing.org/resources/print/print_david.asp

 

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements Below

 

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Historical Note: Source Gelasian [ca 494]. Original Latin: cuius providential in sui despositione non fallitur . This acknowledgement calls to mind Gen 1, where God ordered all things in heaven and earth, and they "were Good". The petition calls to mind the teaching of Jesus concerning the gifts of God being good and never hurtful [Matt 7:9-11]

Zechariah iv 1, Psalm 127, Romans viii. 12   &   St. Matthew vii. 15

Homily of John Chrysostom on Romans Lesson

Announcements for the week beginning 17 July 05

Please hold these and all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts

Camillus of Lellis, Soldier, Religious - July 18th [TRANSFERRED]

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training,
Peace in the Mideast

Olive Branch International, Inc Military Outreach

primus pilus to centurions, I

I received a letter in the mail from this organization a few days ago
that discussed its work with psychological officers in Sri Lanka in
February 2005 - The Olive Branch International, Inc. It is a
charitable corporation that is dedicated to "Humanitarian Service to
the International Military Community.

I invite you to look at their website here
http://www.obi-intl.org/index.asp .

For any looking for an opportunity to travel and support an outreach, they are looking for volunteers. Others may wish to support this mission with contributions and all may do so with prayers. View their history page to see some of their many worthy projects over their nine-year history

May God bless them in their charitable work of love

Mark

primus pilus

www.orderofcenturions.org

Christopher and El Cid [transferred]

These two Christian soldiers died on 10 July.

 

Christopher of Antioch  guard for a king, ca 250 Martyred for refusing to submit to idolotry and was martyred under Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius reign.  Chistopher is a popular religous figure. In the West he is depicted with a child on his shoulders, in the East as a very ugly "dogged faced" soldier.  The link takes you to a fanciful ancient history that seemingly embellished his martyrdom. Some in the West take him to be legendary

 

 

 

El Cid Campeador  "The Lord Champion" Knight, had a very political and combative life. Latter-day critical evaluation by historians has identified him as somewhat of a mercenary (albeit from Moslem historical sources for whatever that is worth). 

 

However, he is recognized in Spain as a Christian hero and savior for Spain from Moslem domination.  Poema de Mio Cid, (Lay of the Cid) is a legendary poem written a century after his death in 1099. It no doubt inspired many a Spanish Christian soldier to virtue and Christian service.  Great epic movie with a cast of thousands and with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren based on the Poem and Christian legend - one of my very favorites when growing up.

 

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

 Seventh Sunday after Trinity

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Historical Note: Source: Collect orginally composed by Bishop Gelasius of Rome (492-496), His version began with, "O Lord of Hosts" [1Sam 1:11]. His "true religion" reminds one of James' epistle and "pure religon KJV [James 1:27]

I have compassion on the multitude

Hosea xiv, Psalm viii, Romans vi. 19   &  St. Mark viii. 1

---

Homily of John Chrysostom Romans 6:19

The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King - Ambrose of Milan, 340-397

New Series � History of Collects and Ancient Homilies

New Series – History of Collects and Ancient Homilies

Beginning this Sunday and for the rest of the year, look for a short history on the weekly Collect and for an ancient homily –  by John Chrysostom where available. Read more below.

One of the chief aims of the Order, as has been stated in our History section since the very beginning, has been to encourage worship as practiced by the Early Christians. Scripture is our first source, and our next is the exposition of Scripture and the traditions as recorded by the early doctors of the Church. In this regard, I encourage all centurions to read this piece by a scholar of early literature and a Christian Knight of the 20th Century Why Read the Classics?;An Introduction by CS Lewis.

One classic source offered Sunday-by Sunday has been the Collect. In the book: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer, by C. Frederick Barbee, and Paul FM Zahl, they write:

One constant that … is still with us .. is the Collect. Imagine being transported in a time machine to fifth-century Rome on a particular Sunday of the church year and knowing enough Latin to recognize with delight and suppose the very same prayer to be found for that day in the Book of Common Prayer!. This is entirely possible, for the vast majority …are in fact pre-Reformation. Most are taken from the Sacramentaries of three famous Bishops of Rome: Leo I (440-461), Gelasius (492-496), and Gregogry the Great (590-604). A Sacramentary was a book that contained the fixed prayers of the Eucharist and the variable Collects of the Day"

The Collect’s name comes from the Latin "collecta", meaning to collect up the prayers of the people. Collects were originally extemporaneous, and still are, or may be, in many places. In the developing Early Church, Collects evolved to the form shown below. As you read through the following component outline of a Collect, compare the component with the corresponding phrase from the Prayer of the Order of Centurions shown in italics.

Address -- almost always addressed to God the Father, sometimes to Christ : Almighty God

Acknowledgement -- what God has done or his character: "our sovereign Lord, who called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles, who healed the servant at Capernaum in accordance with the Centurion's great faith, and who inspired the Centurion at Calvary to glorify Jesus"

Petition -- the action verbs – what we want God to do : strengthen us in our faith

Aspiration -- that which we wish to be the outcome of our prayer: "that we might follow their example to love, serve, and glorify you as faithful members of the Church Militant,"

Pleading. -- a concluding phrase offered through the Son, often with a describing clause, and stating the Trinity: "through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen"

The Collects are by tradition to be used all the week following unless another is specifically appointed for a special day (e.g., Epiphany, Transfiguration, etc.) They may be said morning, noon, and evening with the Lord’s Prayer. You may wish to make the weekly Collect part of your daily prayers. Copy it down or print it and carry it with you. It is also on the Order’s Chapel site all week in the devotional section..

Mark

Bidding for London

I bid your prayers for London in the aftermath of the terrorist attack there. We have centurions from  Great Britain and at least one residing in London. Pray for their safety, for their neighbors, for peace, and for the response of their leaders.

 

Religion and Virture - the Foundation of Freedom

Centurions,

 

It is not normally my custom to officially share with you quotations from the latter ages, but for this one I am making an exception. It is in my opinion - timeless and universal... it comes from a former President of the United States...  a learned man of ancient history, philosophy, and Scripture. His words ring true to this centurion. 

 

"[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society."

 

John Adams (letter in response to Rush letter above, 8/28 1811)

 

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. [John 8:36]

 

Mark

 

 

US Independence Day Collect & Readings

For our centurions in the US

 ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deuteronomy x. 17   &   St. Matthew v. 43 & Homily
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/independence.html 

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

 

O GOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaih lvii. 13b, Psalm 16, Romans vi. 3   &   St. Matthew v. 20 & Homily

first be reconciled to thy brother

Saint Peter [29 June]

O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock; Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Acts xii. 1   &   St. Matthew xvi. 13 & Homily

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God

   

Onward, Christian Soldiers

I commend the November-December issue of the Mandate.

 

The first article suggests two prayers for those who have troops in combat, and a comparison of the 1928 BCP and the revised "Prayer Book" of 1979. I'll place these prayers on our Order's Prayer page directly.

 

http://www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928/Mandate/Mandate_1-4_NovDec.pdf

 

The second article Onward, Christian Soldiers by the Rev. Dr. Tarsitano, is a good one.  He writes:

 

For orthodox Christians, then, peace is not an achievable

human goal, but a divine gift of grace, to be perfected at the

Second Coming, when all the distractions of sin (and the

human weakness that gives them power over us) will be done

away (cf. Romans 8). Under such a definition, moreover, “an

absence of war” is not necessarily peace at all. A failure by

nations to fight when the weak and the helpless are harmed is actually war against God, who is Justice, Mercy, and Love.

 

and a little later

 

A Christian soldier, then, is a subordinate minister of God,

deriving his authority to make war from the divine

appointment of his superiors. In terms of his derived authority

to act, he is little different from the Christian priest. The

members of the ministerial priesthood receive their authority

to minister to the spiritual needs of God’s people from God the

Father, through Jesus Christ, by the grace of the Holy Ghost,

and at the hands of their superiors in the ministry. The

Christian soldier receives his authority to bear arms in a just

cause from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the grace

of the Holy Ghost, and by the appointment of those earthly

governors that God has made his ministers for the restraint

of evil.

 

___________ Aside______________________

 

In visiting a sermon site today I found that Dr. Tarsitano died in January 2005. However, one can still find his sermons through the St. Andrew's Church, Savanah. His sermons match the collects and lessons we use in the Order. We have a link on our site.

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=77314&ck=

 

By the way, concerning the Sunday collects, The Right Rev Dr. Anthony Sparrow, writing in 1672, had this to say about most of the collects we use:

for we find by ancient testimony that they were composed or ordered, either by S. Ambrose, Gelasius, or Gregory the Great, those holy Bishops and Fathers of the Church

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/pc/sparrow/rationale/collects.html

(thanks PV)

 

One of our centurions has an excellent resource on the history of the collects which I hope to use in the future for our reflection each Sunday... and as they were intended... throughout the week.

 

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity

 The Fifth Sunday after Trinity

See announcements below

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ecclesiastes ii. 1, Psalm 62, 1 St. Peter iii. 8   &   St. Luke v. 1 & Homily
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity5.html

Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men
Announcements for the week beginning 26 June 05

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts

St. Peter -- June 29th

Nativity of Saint John Baptist [24 June]

ALMIGHTY God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour by preaching repentance; Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah xl. 1   &   St. Luke i. 57 & Homily

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;
for he hath visited and redeemed his people

In some traditions the ancient Creed of Anthanasius would have been said at morning prayer this Feast Day http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/anthanasius.html

We in the Red River Cohort meet this Feast day to execute the Articles of Incorporation of Saint John Baptist - Anglican, and to celebrate its dedication. Please pray for this outreach ministry.

Thought: In thinking about John Baptist as a prophetical preacher who exposed the errors of his day, and was anything but politically correct, I share this article with you on what many of us consider one of  the greatest threats to orthodox Christianity since the heretical movements of the early church... and sadly much of it today comes from within the formal structures of the "Western" church and is bred in seminaries. May we have the clarity of vision and courage of John Baptist to spot the viper and call him by his name.

The Spirit of the Age and the Reality of the Risen Christ http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/98/041298.html

A thought:

This struggle against emerging heresies of post-modern thought of Christianity that reveals itself in many ways reminds me of the mural of Christ Militant in our Internet Chapel of the Centurions, standing upon the adder and the lion, representing the Arian heretical movement that the Church fought against - while Christ holds open the Gospel with the passage: "I am the way the truth and the life" Jn 14:6. Is this mural not also applicable to us today as we face arising heresies within the Church? As the author of the article discusses, the first heresy is that of relativism...  sort of "my truth, your truth, a million truths...mentality". Jesus is THE truth, not a truth - he said so - so let us talk about our Lord's truth and endeavor to understand it. Secondly is the teaching that Jesus is just one of many ways to the Father.... again, what did he say, "no man cometh unto the Father except by me " Jn:14:16  - the rest of the verse he holds his hand. Let us work as centurions to follow the image of Christ Militant in the mural, and trample the Lion and Adder under foot (Psalm 91:13) through a ready response to these errors, to help those who are confused and confounded by these heresies. I was reminded again by a dear centurion of one resource that he highly recommends for orthodox thought that crosses denominational lines: First Things. Another I have found helpful is Orthodoxy Today.  Equip yourselves so that you might be as John Baptist, a voice crying in the wilderness, and through the types of activities mentioned in Today's Collect, prepare yourself and fight for Christ and the Church.

Happy Feast Day ! 
Marcus
primus pilus

Centurion at Capernaum 20 June

Today the Order remembers the Centurion at Capernaum.

 

 

O Lord, whose servant the Centurion of Capernaum displayed such faith as your Son had not seen in all Israel; inspire us through your Holy Spirit to such faith; through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Here is an interesting study if you haven't seen it already from our History Page links

http://www.thedericksons.com/m01550.htm The Odd Couple, Jesus and the Centurion.

 

Luke 7 1-9

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

 

Mt 8:10

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

 Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements Below

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Can the blind lead the blind?

Lamentations iii. 22, Psalm 91, Romans viii. 18   &   St. Luke vi. 36 & Homily
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity4.html#readings

 

Announcements for the week beginning 19 June 05
Feasts and Fasts
Centurion at Capernaum - June 20th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

Boniface, Common Legionary ca 417

Today the Order remembers a common soldier, Boniface. As far as I know, he did nothing remarkable. He was a mere Christian legionary of the Roman Army who apparently struggled with concerns about his service to God and country. We know of him through a letter that has been preserved through the ages that was meant to reassure and encourage him.

 To the Order of Centurions Boniface represents every Christian military person whose name is never remembered, but whose name is written in the Book of Life – one of the least of His.

 In US Army tradition, Boniface is like who we called, “Joe Tentpeg”  In dining-ins we always used to salute and toast Joe Tentpeg, representative of the faceless private soldier who quietly endured hardships and did his duty. We knew that he was the main reason for our being as leaders. Today, likewise, the Order of Centurion recognizes Boniface as a symbol of the millions of unnamed Christian soldiers around the world, throughout the ages, who now serve or have served Christ First, as well as their nation.

 ST. AUGUSTINE TO THE SOLDIER BONIFACE

Do not think that no one can please God who is a soldier in military arms. Holy David was among these, to whom the Lord gave such great witness [cf. 1 Kings 14. 7, where God says David, "followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes"] and many just men of that time among them. Among these was Cornelius [Acts 10] to whom the angel was sent.... Among these were those who came to John for baptism.... Surely he did not forbid them to serve in arms, to whom he ordered to be content with their pay.... . Some therefore fight for you by praying against invisible enemies; you work for them by fighting against visible barbarians.... So think first of this, when you arm yourself for battle, that even your bodily strength is a gift of God.... (c. AD 417 St. Augustine to Boniface, a Soldier Epistle 189, Paragraph 60)
source http://www.catholicmil.org/

Augustine Sermon IX

Ye then who have found a Father in heaven, be loth to cleave to the things of earth. For ye are about to say, "Our Father, which art in heaven." You have begun to belong to a great family. Under this Father the lord and the slave are brethren; under this Father the general and the common soldier are brethren; under this Father the rich man and the poor are brethren. All Christian believers have divers fathers in earth, some noble, some obscure; but they all call upon one Father which is in heaven.

 

 

Third Sunday after Trinity

Third Sunday after Trinity

See announcements below

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jeremiah xxxi. 1, Psalm cxlv , 1 St. Peter v. 5 & St. Luke xv. 1 & Homily

Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Announcements for the week beginning 12 June 05

Feasts and Fasts

Boniface, Legionary - June 15th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

Barnabas - Apostle 11 June

O LORD God Almighty, who didst endue thy holy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost; Leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them alway to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Job xxix. 11. &Acts xi. 22   &   St. John xv. 12 & Homily

he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith

Ferdinand - Prince of Portugal, Knight, Religious, 5 June, 1443 [transferred]

Centurions: I commend this site on the remarkable life of Ferdinand and service to country and God, and his faithfulness to God and his devotion, even unto death, as a prisoner of war: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06039c.htm

 

O God, by whose grace thy servant Ferdinand, enkindled with the
flame of thy love, became a burning and a shining light in thy
Church:  Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit
of love and discipline, and may ever walk before thee as
children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one
God, now and for ever. Amen

 

 

The Second Sunday after Trinity

The Second Sunday after Trinity

O LORD, who never failest to help and govern those whom thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deuteronomy xx. 1, Psalm 76, 1 St. John iii. 13   &   St. Luke xiv . 16 & Homily

Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Announcements for the week beginning 5 June 05
NEW- Litany for Centurions

Feasts and Fasts
Ferdinand of Portugal, Knight, Crusader, Prince - June 6th [transferred]
Saint Barnabas the Apostle -- June 11th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

We bid your prayers for

• Centurions in harms way,
• for the Marine that our preafectus castrorum told us of with the head injugy,
• for those preparing for deployment or special training,
• for Peace in the Mideast

Please notice the link to a new Centurion's Litany that we commend for your use when praying for Centurions by name. The link is right after the name of centurions for this week.