The Lectionary - Why?

Centurions

Each Sunday and Holy Day the Order sends out prayers and readings to the mail list and posts them on this forum. This is the traditional Western lectionary. You might wonder how these prayers and readings were selected. Well, the prayers come from the 6th Century (or before) and were recorded by three bishops of Rome concluding with Gregory the Great. The prayers and appointed readings were published in English in 1549. Consider this on the readings.

There is one more important way in which Scripture is authoritative for the people of God in worship and this is rarely spoken of, or explained these days. ... the Eucharistic Lectionary, those portions of holy Scripture appointed for the Epistle and Gospel through the Christian Year. These are not random choices of biblical passages but were put together around the fifth century or earlier to communicate essential doctrines of the Christian Faith concerning our Lord Jesus Christ and salvation and sanctification in his Name. There is a natural division at Trinity Sunday. From Advent to Trinity Sunday there is a great emphasis on Dominical Holydays, and thus of the manifestation of the Lord Jesus in space and time, who he is and what he is, which are the foundation of Faith. After Trinity Sunday we enter the non-festal part of the Christian year where the emphasis is on what Jesus and his apostles teach us about the Christian life.
[Peter Toon, Doctrine as Doxology, 2006]

Another source with lots of extras, like homilies, is http://www.lectionarycentral.com/

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

Siege of Jerusalem

 

http://historynet.com/mhq/blromansiege/index.html

 

I commend this article by Professor J.E. Lendon on the Roman siege of Jerusalem. Drawing heavily on Josephus, who was an eye witness, he make some very good points about the use of Auxillia for combat because of their Virtue of Courage, and the Legionaries because of their discipline and engineering skills. He also speak of the constant training of all Roman soldiers. This is a lengthy article, but one I  endorse to all those who seek to understand the legions of the 1st Century.

 

 

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IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Homily of Chrysostom on Galatians
Named Mothering Sunday for this Epistle

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Galatians iv. 21. & St. John vi. 1.
Homily of Chrysostom on Galatians

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

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IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
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The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

[March 25]
Annuciation Home

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Evening Prayer
Psalm 138, 1 Sam 2:1-10, Matthew 1:18-25
Homily of John Chrysostom on Matthew

Behold, a Virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son,
and they shall call His name Emmanuel

Thomas Cranmer Martyr, Soldier, Archbishop 21 Mar 450th Anniversary

Thomas Cranmer
Martyr - Theologian - Archbishop - Soldier
[21 March 1556]
Architect of the Anglican Faith

Almighty God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer was martyred for his faith and service to the Church of England as theologian, soldier, and archbishop; Embolden us that we might serve thee with all our heart, mind, and soul; and grant that upon that last day, we might join with Thomas and all the saints before thy heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen

Thomas Cranmer served as the first Archbishop of the Church of England under Henry VIII and Henry's son, Edward VI. He authored the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 and 1552. He was instrumental in establishing the Church of England as a Reformed Protestant Catholic Church under Edward VI. He authored or edited the first official set of homilies for the Church of England and the Articles of Religion. He is the architect of the Anglican faith.

Although not a professional soldier, Lord Cranmer did command a cavalry unit in the King's service arising from dominions he held by virtue of his office. He, fully armed, led that troop as it deployed and provided a defense and screen against an amphibious invasion force from France.

Cranmer was martyred at the stake on 21 March 1552 under Queen Mary for his faith. He had yeilded to the inquisition and confessed error in his theology, but recanted on the day he was to make his public confession before his execution for "treason". His friends, bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, preceded him at the stake on 16 October 1555.

"I have sinned, in that I signed with my hand what I did not believe with my heart. When the flames are lit, this hand shall be the first to burn".

Short Biography * Homily on The Fear of Death I

Order of Centurions 21 March 2006 - 450th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer

The Third Sunday in Lent

 

The Third Sunday in Lent

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Saramentary of Gregory, Bishop of Rome [600 AD] In the Gospel today Jesus heals a man possesed, stretching forth his had

Deut vi.,   Psalm 25,   Ephesians v. 1. St. Luke xi. 14.

Homiles

Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

Announcements for the week beginning 19 March 06

 

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

Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Sundays are feast days our our Lord throughout the year
Wednesdays and Fridays were days of fasting and special devotion in the early church
. Major Feasts and Fasts in bold.
WE ARE NOW IN THE LENTEN SEASON IN THE WESTERN CHURCH. ALL DAYS BETWEEN ASH WEDNESDAY AND EASTER, EXCEPT SUNDAYS, ARE DAYS OF FASTING AND SPECIAL DEVOTION BY TRADITION.

Nicholas von der Flue, Soldier and Hermit -- March 22nd

Annunciation -- 25 March

There will be an institution and dedication of Cohort "Annunciation" in New Jersey upon the Feast of the Annunciation - 25 March.


BIDDINGS
Centurion gone to sea in the North Pacific
Thanksgiving for Corhos Dues Inservio - Idaho
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

Marinus, Legionary

Marinus, Legionary
[March 17 - 3rd Century]

Almighty God, whose servant Legionary Mariunus didst refuse to offer sacrifices to idols, strenghten us to follow his example by refusing the idols of our age, and by following thee with true faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

By tradition, Marinus was a Legionary and son to a noble family of Caeserea who refused to sacrifice to idols and desecrated the offerings of others by stepping on them. He was denounced by a rival, arrested, tortured and beheaded in Rome.

Asterius, a Roman senator witnessed Marinus' martyrdom, and was so moved with respect for the courage of Marinus in his tortures, that he carried the body away for burial. It is said that he was killed for this act.

Cohort Deus Inservio - Ides of March

 

I bid your special prayers upon the inception and dedication of Cohors Deus Inservio on this Ides of March, MMVI - (the Feast Day of Longinus, Centurion of Calvary, Martyr and Servant of God).

 

 Please visit the cohorts website at http://mysite.verizon.net/resrdpty/

 

 

 

Longinus - Centurion of Calvary [15 March]

Longinus, Centurion,
[March 15 - 1st Century]

Truly this man was the Son of God

Almighty God, our sovereign Lord, who inspired the Centurion at Calvary to glorify Jesus; strengthen us in our faith that we might follow his example to glorify you as faithful members of the Church Militant, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

By tradition, the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus on Calvary was a centurion. He is called "Longinus" in the Gospel of Nicodemus / Atcts of Pilate ( probably derived from the Greek 'longche', meaning "lance".)

He is one of the three Centurions of the New Testament we salute, and he confessed Jesus as the Son of God - a Righteous Man. Tradition says later he was a deacon of the church, preached the Gospel, and was martyred.

John 19:32 The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe. For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God....And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he learned it of the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph.

Luke 23:47 And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man

The Centurion is sometimes known as Gaius Cassius Longinus. There was such a person, a Roman General, who plotted against Julius Caesar who was assassinated on the Ides of March - the Feast Day of the Centurion of Calvary

Medeival Golden Legend of Longinus
_________

The Second Sunday in Lent

 

The Second Sunday in Lent

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Gregory - Bishop of Rome. [600 AD] The petition is not only for assualts from without, but also from within.

1 Kings viii. 37 Psalm 86   1 Thessalonians iv. 1. & St. Matthew xv. 21

Homilies

 

Sempronius & 40 Martyrs [10 Mar - 320AD]

Centurio Sempronius & the Martyrs of Sabaste

In the winter of 320 AD, the Emperor Licinius ordered all Roman soldiers to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods. Licinius was persecuting Christians at this time. His edict reached the Thundering Legion at Sabaste, and the order was passed down to the legionaries. Forty Christians in the legion refused to obey the edict, choosing instead to obey a higher authority: " You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them "

In retaliation, the legion marched the men to a frozen lake where they were ordered to remove their armour and clothing and stand naked, as a form of torture to death, on a frozen lake. The legion lit a large fire on the shore with a warm bath and food to tempt the Christians to make the pagan sacrifice, renounce their Christian faith, and save their lives. The men began to pray,

"O Lord, 40 wrestlers have come forth to fight for Thee.

Grant that 40 wrestlers may gain the victory!"

One legionary eventually did succumb to the temptation and left the ice for the warm house that was guarded by a centurion named Sempronius. On the ice, the remaining Christian legionaries continued to cry out, " O Lord, 40 wrestlers have come forth to fight for thee. Grant that 40 wrestlers may gain the victory!" In response, Centurion Sempronius confessed Jesus as Christ, removed his armor, weapons, and clothing, and joined the 39 remaining Christians on the lake. The next morning the Forty Martyrs of Sabaste were found on the ice and forever recorded their faithful resistance in the annals of history.

Almighty God, Commander of the Host, who strengthened the Martyrs of Sabaste to keep the faith, and inspired the Centurion Sempronius to join the Christians in their trial of faith; strengthen us to resist evil and the false gods of our day, while ever proclaiming your sovereignty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.

OrderofCenturions.org
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IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

Ember Days

 

Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 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.

In Advent, Lent, and Whitsuntide this collect is followed with the seasonal collect

Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44   &   St. Luke iv. 16
Daily Readings for the Four Seasons
History & Meaning
Litany & Hymns
Homilies

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me


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IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

The First Sunday in Lent

The First Sunday in Lent

O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Also shall be said the collect from Ash Wednedsay

Source: Bishop Thomas Cranmer [1549 AD]. Addressed to Christ. Is aligned with the Gospel from Matthew. Replaced a Mideival collect that focused on fasting rather than repentance

Isaiah 58   Psalm 50   2 Corinthians vi. 1   &   St. Matthew iv. 1

Homiles

Announcements for the week beginning 5 March 06

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

Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Sundays are feast days our our Lord throughout the year
Wednesdays and Fridays were days of fasting and special devotion in the early church
. Major Feasts and Fasts in bold.
WE ARE NOW IN THE LENTEN SEASON IN THE WESTERN CHURCH. ALL DAYS BETWEEN ASH WEDNESDAY AND EASTER, EXCEPT SUNDAYS, ARE DAYS OF FASTING AND SPECIAL DEVOTION BY TRADITION.

Sempronius, Centurion, & the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste - March 10th

BIDDINGS
for a Domanina of the Order - for healing
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

 

Queen Katherine Parr's Prayer

The following is a lovely prayer composed by Queen Katherine Parr of England in 1544, probably with some editorial assistance from Archbishop Thomas Carnmer.

She wrote it for her husband, Henry VIII, and his men on the field of battle.

Link here goes into quite a good analysis.
http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/fhenders/pdf/kparrprayer.pdf

I hope to place this permanently on our Order's prayer page.

Praier for men to saie enteryng into battayle

O Almighty Kyng and lorde of hostes,
which by thy angelles therunto apoynted
doost mynister both warre and peace,
and whiche diddest geue unto Dauid
bothe courage and strength,
beying but a littell one,
unarmed, and unexpert in feates of warre
with his sling to sette upon and ouerthrowe
the great huge Goliath:
our cause now being iust,
and beying inforced to entre into warre and battaile,
we most humbly beseech the
(O Lorde God of hostes)
so to tourne the hertes of our enemies
to the desyre of peace,
that no christen bloud be spilt,
or else graunt (O Lorde)
that with small effusion of bloud,
and to the litle hurte and damoge of innocentes,
we maie to thy glorie obteine victorie:
and that the warres beyng sone ended,
we maie al with one hert and mynde,
all knitte togither in concord and unitie,
laude and praise the:
which lyuest and reignest, worlde without ende.
Amen.