THOU God and Father of thy beloved and blessed Son . . .

THOU God and Father of thy beloved and blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of thee, O God of the angels and powers and of all creation and of all just men who live in thy presence, I thank thee that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this day and this hour to allot me a portion among the number of martyrs, among the people of Christ, unto the resurrection of everlasting life: among these may I be received in thy sight, this day, as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice, wherefore, for all this, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee through the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory, world without end. Amen.

St. Polycarp

~ by Lazarus on September 25, 2008.