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RUBRIC: Of the Church.

O grant peace to your holy Church: peace and steadfastness from the warfare of enemies, and establish the Catholic [Universal] Church in one faith. We confess you [as] Lord and God; save us.

[FOR] JOHN THE BAPTIST

Thinking to hinder thy preceding and the forerunner-ship of the Word of God, [the enemy,] who through the woman cast the first-created out of Paradise, he now also, having inflamed Herodias with lawlessness, [prompted her] to please the guests of Herod with the dance of the maiden’s feet, so that she might cut off thy head—[thou] who didst lay hands upon Christ, the Head of all. But thou, who [art] the voice of the one crying from the wilderness, cry out unto Him upon Whom thou didst lay hands, to grant peace and great mercy.

[Of Saint] Stephen

Rejoice today, rejoice and be glad, holy Catholic Church, in the commemoration of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, who bore witness to Christ [before] the Father; who by prayers opened the heavens which Adam closed, and [with] angel-like [appearance]...