The Liturgy of the Word
The Pauline Epistle
Hymn before the Pauline Epistle
The words "have come" may differ according to the liturgical season to highlight a certain stage of Christ’s redemption: His birth, His baptism, His death on the Cross, or His resurrection from the dead.
Congregation
We worship You, O Christ,
With Your good Father
And the Holy Spirit,
For You have come
and saved us.
Have mercy upon us.
The Pauline Epistle
The Pauline Epistle is read or chanted with this introduction.
Deacon
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and appointed to the gospel of God.
After the Pauline Epistle is read, the reader concludes with this verse.
Deacon
Grace and peace be with you all. Amen. So be it.
Inaudible Prayer during the Pauline Epistle
This prayer is said inaudibly during the reading of the Pauline Epistle.
Priest
O Lord of knowledge and provider of wisdom, Who reveals the deep things out of darkness, and gives the word to those who preach with great power;
Who of Your goodness has called upon Paul — who was for some time a persecutor — to be a chosen vessel; and was pleased for him to become a chosen apostle and preacher of the gospel of Your kingdom, O Christ our God.
We ask You, the good One and Lover of mankind, graciously grant us and all Your people a mind free from wandering and a clear understanding that we may learn and understand how profitable are Your holy teachings which are read to us now through him. As he followed Your example, O Author of life, so make us worthy to be like him in deed and in faith, glorifying Your holy name and ever-boasting in Your cross.
Unto You we send up the glory, honour and worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, Who is coessential with You, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
The Priest entreats the Lord to grant us concentration and a clear understanding of the words being read, and make us like the Apostle Paul in his deeds and faith.
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
— 1 Corinthians 11:1
Response of the Pauline Epistle
If a metropolitan or bishop is present, this hymn is chanted and his name is mentioned together with that of the diocesan bishop.
Congregation
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Be with your saintly spirit,
My lord, the honoured father,
The high priest, Pope Abba (...),
And our father the metropolitan/bishop, Abba (...).
May the clergy and all the people
Be safe in the Lord.
Amen. So be it.