St. Gregory the Wonder-Worker

Bishop and Confessor

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut beáti Gregórii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis veneránda solémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat, et salútem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Gregory, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of St. Gertrude, V.

Ant:  Sacérdos et Póntifex, et virtútum ópifex, pastor bone in pópulo, ora pro nobis Dóminum.

Ant:  O holy Priest and Bishop, thou worker of so many mighty works, and good shepherd to Christ's flock, pray for us unto the Lord our God.

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum.
R.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut beáti Gregórii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis veneránda solémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat, et salútem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Gregory, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of a Bishop Confessor, Series 1,  Fidelis sermo.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Bishop Confessors
 

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Gregórius, Neocæsaréæ Ponti epíscopus, sanctitáte doctrináque illústris, signis vero ac miráculis multo illústrior, quorum multitúdine atque præstántia Thaumatúrgus appellátus est, et sancti Basilíi testimónio cum Móyse, Prophétis et Apóstolis comparátus ; montem, qui ecclésiæ ædificatiónem impediébat, oratióne alio tránstulit.  Item palúdem, inter fratres causam discordiárum, exsiccávit.  Lycum flúvium, pernicióse agros inundántem, defíxo ad ripam quo sustentabátur báculo, qui statim viréntem crevit in árborem, coércuit, ut póstea ultra eum términum non efflúxerit.

Gregory, Archbishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus, is famous indeed for his holiness and his learning, but much more so on account of the signs and wonders which he wrought, the number and character of which were so spectacular that they have gotten him the name Thaumaturgus, or Wonderworker.  Holy Basil compareth him with Moses, with the Prophets, and with the Apostles, and testifieth that by his prayers he moved to another place a mountain that stood in the way of the building of a church.  Moreover, he dried up a marsh, which was the cause of strife between two brothers.  Also, when the River Lycus overflowed and wasted the fields, he set his staff on the bank, which stick forthwith grew into a green tree, and confined the stream within its bed, so that it never more passed that place again.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Sæpíssime dæmones ex idolórum simulácris atque ex hóminum corpóribus ejécit, múltaque ália mirabíliter effécit, quibus innumerábiles hómines traxit ad Jesu Christi fidem, cum étiam prophético spíritu futúra prædíceret.  Qui, migratúrus e vita, cum quæsísset quot in civitáte Neocæsariénsi réliqui essent infidéles, responsúmque esset tantum esse septémdecim ; Deo grátias agens, Tótidem, inquit, erant fidéles, cum cœpi episcopátum.  Plura scripsit, quibus étiam, non solum miráculis, Dei Ecclésiam illustrávit.

Gregory exorcized devils frequently, either from heathen idols or from the bodies of men.  He wrought many other miracles which brought countless numbers to the faith of Jesus Christ.  He had the gift of prophecy also and foretold things to come.  When he was about  to depart from this life he asked how many infidels still remained in the city of Neocaesarea.  His attendants told him there were but seventeen.  Hearing this he gave God thanks, and said : Just so many were the faithful when I took the Bishoprick.  He wrote many books, whereby, as well as by his wonders, he hath enlightened the Church of God.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Beáti Patris Gregórii mérita jam in tuto pósita secúri magnificémus ; qui, gubernáculum fídei viríliter tenens, ánchoram spei tranquílla jam in statióne compósuit, et plenam cæléstibus divítiis et ætérnis mércibus navem optáto in líttore collocávit.  Qui, contra omnes adversários, scutum timóris Dei támdiu infatigabíliter ténuit, donec ad victóriam perveníret.  Quid enim fuit totus vitæ illíus cursus, nisi uníus cum vígili hoste conflíctus?

We may safely extol the merits of the blessed Father Gregory for he is now secure ; he who, manfully handling the rudder of faith, hath now cast the anchor of hope in a snug harbour, hath brought his ship, laden with heavenly riches and eternal rewards, to the shore for which he longed.  For a long time he opposed the shield of the fear of God unflinchingly against all enemies until the victory was won.  For what was the course of his life, but one long conflict with a watchful foe?

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervenit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine: * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Respóndens Jesus discípulis suis ait illis : Habéte fidem Dei.  Amen dico vobis quia quicúmque díxerit huic monti : Tóllere et míttere in mare, et non hæsitáverit in corde suo, sed credíderit quia quodcúmque díxerit fiat, fiet ei.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea ; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass ; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Solent Gentíles qui contra Ecclésiam maledícta scripsére, improperáre nostris quod non habúerint plenam fidem Dei, quia numquam montes transférre potúerint.  Quibus respondéndum est non scripta esse, quæ in Ecclésia sunt gesta, sicut étiam de factis ipsíus Christi et Dómini nostri Scriptúra testátur.  Unde et hoc quoque fíeri potuísset, ut mons ablátus de terra mitterétur in mare, si necéssitas id fíeri poposcísset.  Quómodo légimus factum précibus beáti Patris Gregórii, Neocæsaréæ Ponti antístitis, viri méritis et virtútibus exímii, ut mons in terra tantum loco céderet quantum íncolæ civitátis opus habébant.

The heathen who have written evil things against the Church are apt to taunt the faithful with a lack of complete faith in God since they have never been able to remove mountains.  The answer to be made to such as these is that not all things that have been done in the Church, have been written down, just as not all the things that have been done by Christ our Lord have been written down, as Scripture itself testifieth.  It could have happened.  A mountain could have been removed from its place and cast into the sea, had need of this arisen.  Indeed, we read this is the thing that actually occurred through the prayers of the blessed Father Gregory, Bishop of Neocaesarea, in Pontus, a man extraordinary in virtue and merits.  A mountain was moved back on the land the distance necessary to give proper space to the inhabitants of a certain city.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him ; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord put upon him the breastplate of faith, and adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Cum enim, volens ædificáre ecclésiam in loco apto, vidéret eum angustiórem esse quam res exigébat, eo quod ex una parte, rupe maris, ex ália, monte próximo coarctarétur ; venit nocte ad locum, et, génibus fléxis, admónuit Dóminum promissiónis suæ, ut montem lóngius juxta fidem peténtis ágeret.  Et, mane facto, revérsus invénit montem tantum spátii reliquísse structóribus ecclésiæ quantum opus habúerant.  Póterat ergo hic, póterat álius quis ejúsdem mériti vir, si opportúnitas exegísset, impetráre a Dómino, mérito fídei, ut étiam mons tollerétur et mitterétur in mare.

Gregory wanted to build a church on a certain desirable spot, but he found the site too narrow.  On one side it was bounded by a cliff which fell away into the sea, and on another side by a mountain.  Gregory went to the place at night and on his bent knees reminded the Lord of his promise, that whoever would pray with faith could move mountains.  When he returned in the morning he found that the mountain had been moved, leaving the exact space the builders required for the church.  If one man could do this, another man of equal merit, could obtain from the Lord through faith that a mountain be moved, or if need be cast into the sea.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Verum, quia montis nómine nonnúmquam diábolus significátur, vidélicet propter supérbiam, qua se contra Deum érigit, et esse vult símilis Altíssimo ; mons ad præcéptum eórum qui fortes fide sunt, tóllitur de terra et in mare projícitur, cum, prædicántibus verbum doctóribus sanctis, immúndus spíritus ab eórum corde repéllitur qui ad vitam sunt præordináti, et in turbuléntis amarísque infidélium méntibus vesániam suæ tyránnidis exercére permíttitur.

It is true that the term mountain is used metaphorically sometimes to signify the devil.  Through pride the devil setteth himself against God and desireth to be be exalted like the Most High.  The mountain is lifted from the earth and cast into the sea at the command of those who are strong in faith.  Through the preaching of the saintly doctors the unclean spirit is driven from the hearts of those who are preordained to life and permitted to exercise the frenzy of his tyranny upon the turbulent and bitter minds of infidels.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, dicit Dóminus.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, saith the Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut beáti Gregórii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis veneránda solémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat, et salútem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Gregory, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH