Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Feb 1, 2004
Greek Catholic Church of Annunciation

Program of the Prayer
Inspired by the office of vespers in the Byzantine Rite

Blessed is our God, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen

Heavenly King, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the treasury of blessing and the giver of life. Come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain and save our souls, o Good One.

Holy is God! Holy the Mighty One! Holy the Immortal One! have mercy on us.

The Gospel (Mt 25:31-40)

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Procession and artoclasia (or beaking of the bread)