Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155

https://almanac.oremus.org/2022-02-23

Green / red

Exciting Holiness
Wisdom 5.15-20
Psalm 34.1-9
Revelation 2.8-11
John 15.1-8

Holy Communion
James 4.13-end
Psalm 49.1-2, 5-10
Mark 9.38-40

Morning Prayer
Psalm 77
Genesis 31.25-32.2
Titus 1

Evening Prayer
Psalm 119.81-104
2 Chronicles 12
John 19.31-end

Additional Weekday Lectionary
Isaiah 52.13 - 53.6
Romans 15.14-21

Collect

Almighty God,
who gave to your servant Polycarp
boldness to confess the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ
before the rulers of this world
and courage to die for his faith:
grant that we also may be ready
to give an answer for the faith that is in us
and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

God our redeemer,
whose Church was strengthened by the blood of your martyr Polycarp:
so bind us, in life and death, to Christ’s sacrifice
that our lives, broken and offered with his,
may carry his death and proclaim his resurrection in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

Eternal God,
who gave us this holy meal
in which we have celebrated the glory of the cross
and the victory of your martyr Polycarp:
by our communion with Christ
in his saving death and resurrection,
give us with all your saints the courage to conquer evil
and so to share the fruit of the tree of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.