 IN HOC SIGNO VINCES |
of the CENTURIONS ecclesia militans - semper vigilante Conserated upon the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels Annual Dedication Commemoration Devotion Eucharist The hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him |
 TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM |
Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ
and
Welcome to the Internet Chapel of the Centurions
Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany
Bidding Prayer
Pray for:
* All Centurions in harms way
* Peace throughout the World
Christ Militant - Archiepiscopal Palace of San Pietro Crisologoa, Chapel of Saint Andrew in Ravenna
"I am the way, truth, and life"
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet
O WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, LET THE WHOLE EARTH STAND IN AWE OF HIM!
DEVOTION
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice
The Early Church sang psalms, read Scripture, and recited the Lord's Prayer thrice and the Creed twice
prayer followed the ancient tradition of facing eastward standing or kneelingLet us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God, what we have done or failed to do in thought, word, and deed Silent Confession
New Testament Shema from the Law: Hear O Israel:...
Summary of the Law
Let us recall the words that God spoke to Moses when he said ...
Ten Commandments
Psalm 6, 25, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, or 143 may be said. This Penitential Office or Daniel's Confession may be said on occasion, as on Saturdays in preparation for Sunday Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on us
Almighty God, 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; strengthen us in our faith that we might follow their example to love, serve, and 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.
Or another collect from the Centurion Forum collects may be said throughout the week along with the appointed epistle and gospel reading.
Scripture:
Psalms:
Monthly & Sundays Table of Psalms
The Psalter is the hymnal for the church. In the Early Church Christians said these psalms daily: Morning 62nd Psalm, Evening 140th Psalm. Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions LIXLesson:
Belief:
a new window will open for these off-site Scripture links so that you may return here to continue worship
Traditional Anglican, Roman, Orthodox, or Evangelical
Let us reaffirm our faith (Morning and Evening)
Creed or Forma Romana Vetus
or another creed or statement of belief or confession of faith that has the orthodox tenets.
"Take the Rule of Faith, which is called the Symbol or Creed, say it daily, in the Morning before you go forth; at Night before you sleep." [Aug. l. 1. de Symb. ad Catech. cap. 1.]Prayers:
Adoration:
Let us praise God
Glory to God or Glory to the Father
Suggested Psalms 95, 113, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, or 150Petitions & Intercessions
Let us pray for these needs.... saying "Lord have mercy"
A Litany of Prayers is appropriate for Wednesdays and Fridays, which were days of fasting/abstinence and special devotion in the Early Church. A devotion that you may find meaningful for Friday is a study of the Passion. Its roots go back to Constantine and the Stations of the Cross and History of Spiritual Pilgrimage.
· The world, nation, community and leaders Peace . World Peace . Nation
· The Church Militant: her ministers and the people Church
· The Order and our fellow centurions Centurions Prayer Litany for Centurions
· Our needs and the needs of others Intercessory
· Our enemies Biddings
· Remember those who have gone before us For Saints
Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God for the example of his saints and his many blessings
Blessed are you, O LORD, our God, King of the universe, .....
Suggested Psalms 105, 111, 116, 118, 136, and 138, or A General ThanksgivingLord's Prayer
Let us boldly pray as our Lord taught us: (Morning, Noon, and Evening)
Dismissal
Let us go forth into the world; rejoicing in the Spirit, praying without ceasing, praising His glorious name, and doing what is right - Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus
Praise the Lord...and laud him, all you people.Psalm, Canticle, or Hymn
Suggestions: Morning: We Praise Thee * Psalm 100 * Song of Zacharias Evening: O Gladsome Light * Song of Mary * Song of Simeon
Other times: Shepherd of Tender Youth
Other resources Centurion Hymnal. BBC Evensong
In returning and rest shall you be saved;
in quietness and in confidence shall your strength be renewed
Chapel of the Centurion of Armageddon c. 225
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his nameEUCHARIST
Upon the first day of the week ... the disciples came together to break bread
· Offered here is a Communion Liturgy that may be used by cohorts at the Annual Meeting and by chapels for worship. The liturgy contains elements from ancient manuscripts and would have been familiar to Centurions worshipping in the early Church on Sunday. The President may do all tasks if a deacon or person acting as a subdeacon is not available. The people stood, and knelt, but did not kneel on Sundays or during Eastertide. The ministers sat when not in prayer or the reading of the Gospel. Sources are cited. The form follows that which was described by Justin Martyr [Justin Martyr 1st Apology Ch LXV & LXVII] see Eucharist History
· Users may obtain daily readings, prayers, etc., from the links below; a new page should open
· In 480 in Antioch the Nicene Creed was added to the Divine Liturgy
· In 310 the Glory in Excelcis was said in the east in daily offices, and added in the west in about 500.
Collect, Scripture, and Homily from the Order
“Assemble on the Lord’s day, and break bread and offer the Eucharist;
but first make confession of your faults, so that your sacrifice may be a pure one.”
[Didache]ASSEMBLY
· The people gather in the chapel or immediately outside of it
· One or more sentences of Scripture may be used as a greeting and to prepare the people for worship.
· The people stand. · There may be a psalm of procession/ascent - Examples include Psalm 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, , or a Litany of Prayers
· The Greek "Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison" may be used with three fold repetition of each. This should be treated as an act of humble reverence, not a plea for pardon [Spencer]. It may be sung or said in unison or responsively
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
· The Kyrie May be said three fold in this form, or by verse, in unison or responsively or as an antiphon [iv century]
· Greeting
· President The Lord be with you
· People And with your spirit
· President Let us pray
The President says an appropriate collect or Prayer of the Order
SCRIPTURE
Deacon: Let us attend!
· Reading from the Law, the Prophets, the Epistle with a Psalms between each reading. The reader announcing the book (early Scripture did not have chapter and verse) · Canticles (hymns) may be sung in the place of psalms
· Reader: The Prophecy (etc.) of _________."
· after the reading the reader says:
· Reader: "Thus saith the Lord"
· Lastly, the deacon reads the Gospel: all standing in respect
· Deacon: The Gospel of _________.
· People: Glory to you Lord Christ
SERMON
· Preacher: The Lord be with you.. or another like salutation
· People: and with your spirit
· President may say a short prayer or sentence of scripture before beginning or the congregation sing an anthem
· The Sermon/Discussion should expound on the readings and exhort the listeners
· In the ancient church exhortations and commentary was made by order: deacons, presbyters, and finally the bishops. The President may end with an appropriate prayer to collect the thoughts and points of the sermon/discussion; and the congregation may sing an anthem
PRAYERS
The deacons dismiss catechumens and penitents with a prayer after the President blesses them. The President of the Communion shall also dismiss those who have been advised that they are not allowed to commune for cause of notorious sinful behavior as was the ancient custom and admonishment of Church Fathers [Didache 9]
People stand, the deacon introduces the topic, the people offer silent prayers, and to each is added Kyrie eleison , [Justin Martyr 1st Apology Ch LXVI]
· Deacon: Let us pray, and let each man pray silently ending with "Lord have mercy"
· for the peace and good estate of the world Peace Lord have mercy
· for the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church Church Lord have mercy
· for her servants Ministers Lord have mercy
· for the neophytes Neophytes Lord have mercy
· for the sick Sick Lord have mercy
· for travelers Travellers Lord have mercy
· for little children Children Lord have mercy
· for those who are erring Guidance Lord have mercy
· for our enemies Bidding Lord have mercy
· for the martyrs Martyrs named Lord have mercy
· for the dead who sleep in Christ Departed named Lord have mercy
"Save us, and raise us up, O God, for thy mercy's sake."
President concludes all prayers with this or other collect:
Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto you; and who has promised that when two or three are gathered together in your Name, you will grant their requests; fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. [John Chrysostom]
President:
Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. [1 Cor 11:27] [Didache 14]
Deacon:
Let no one have any quarrel against another; let no one come in hypocrisy
[Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions ]
PEACE
The President may begin with the following:
Jesus said to his apostles: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
The Peace of Lord be with you
· People And with your spirit
The President and people may exchange the kiss of peace or make other appropriate exchanges with one another
The President may say
Save your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance, which you have obtained with the precious blood of your Christ, and have called a royal priesthood, and a holy nation
OFFERING
· Chosen people bring the bread and wine. The deacons prepare the elements for the Eucharist.
· Chosen people may then collect offerings. There may be an offertory psalm. When all is ready the President signals the people and all stand.
· The offerings are brought forward. The congregation may sing a presentation anthem. · The President or another may say some appropriate prayer or sentence of scripture in presenting the offering
· all stand before or around the table
EUCHARIST
or
Spiritual Communion
· President The Lord be with you
· People And with your spirit
· President Lift up your hearts
· People We lift them up to the Lord
· President Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
· People It is right that we give thanks
· President It is right always and everywhere to give thanks to you Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Preface may be inserted here
Therefore we join with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven who forever praise and glorify your Name saying,
All
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory; blessed are you forever.
· President
We give thanks, O God, through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, whom in the last times you sent to us as saviour and redeemer and as angel of your will, who is your inseparable Word, through whom you made all things, and whom by your good pleasure you sent from heaven to a Virgin's womb, who was conceived and was made flesh and was manifested as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin ;
Who, fulfilling your will and procuring for you a holy people, stretched out his hands when he suffered that he might free from suffering those who have believed in you;
Who, when he was betrayed to a voluntary passion to destroy death and break the devil's chains, to tread down hell and lead the just to light, to fix hell's limits and to manifest the resurrection, took bread and gave thanks to you and said : 'Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you.' Likewise also the cup, saying : 'This is my blood which is shed for you. When you do this, do it in remembrance of me.'
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have counted us worthy to stand before you and minister to you as priests.
And we beseech you to send the Holy Spirit on the offering of the Holy Church. Gather them together and grant that all who partake of the holy things may be filled with the Holy Spirit for the confirmation of their faith in the truth, that we may laud and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and honour to you, Father and Son with the Holy Spirit, in your Holy Church, both now and for ever.
[Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus]
AMEN
COMMUNION
President Let us pray as our Lord taught us:
All join in
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. Amen [Matt 6:9] [Didache 8]
The President breaks the bread here or during the Eucharistic prayer,
President may say this thanksgiving and invitation
We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your Servant; to you be the glory for ever. Amen
We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your Servant; to you be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen [Didache 9]
Deacon Holy things for holy persons
People There is one only holy, one only Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father
The ministers distribute the bread and wine The people sing or say Psalm 34 during the communion
President The Body of Christ
Recipient Amen
"Place your left hand under your right one as a throne for receiving the celestial mystery.“ [Cyril of Jerusalem 350]
Deacon The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Life
Recipient AmenPresident: Let us pray
We give you thanks, Holy Father, for your holy name, which you have made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which you have made known unto us through your Son Jesus; yours is the glory for ever and ever. You, Almighty Master, did create all things for your name's sake, and did give food and drink unto men for enjoyment, that they might render thanks to you; But did bestow upon us spiritual food and drink and eternal life through your Son. Before all things we give you thanks that you are powerful; yours is the glory for ever and ever. Amen [Didache 10]
Blessing
Remember, Lord, your Church to deliver it from all evil and to perfect it in your love; And gather it together from the four winds -- even the Church which has been sanctified -- into your kingdom which you have prepared for it; For yours is the power and the glory for ever and ever. May grace come and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any man is holy, let him come; If any man is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen [Didache 10]
DISMISSAL
· Deacon
And now let each one hasten to do good works, to please God and live aright, devoting himself to the Church, practicing the things he has learned, and advancing in the service of God
Apostolic Tradition of HippolytusHymn
· Then may be sung a recessional hymn (Jesus and the disciples likely sang the Hallel at the Last Supper [Matthew 26:30]. Chapels may wish to sing/say a portion: Ps 113, Ps 114, Ps 115, Ps 116, Ps 117, Ps 118. It was traditionally sung in its complete form on the first day of Passover. Psalm 117 with the president singing verse one and the people singing verse two makes a very concise and appropriate hymn
· President Praise the LORD, all you nations; laud him, all you peoples.
· People For his loving- kindness toward us is great: and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah !
· Deacon Go in peace· Deacons may take the consecrated elements to others in the community who were unable to attend the Communion. In the absence of the Communion the Cohort may wish to have an Agape meal at this point.
· Administrative announcements should be made either before or after the liturgy.
We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6]
Copyright 2003-2022 | Order of Centurions |reviewed 11/27/22
