The Preface of Apostles

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, by the power of the Holy Spirit you moved your servant Cyril and his brother Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading
Ephesians 3:1-7

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.

The Psalm
Psalm 96:1-7
Cantate Domino

1
    Sing to the LORD a new song; *
    sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.

2
    Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
    proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

3
    Declare his glory among the nations *
    and his wonders among all peoples.

4
    For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
    he is more to be feared than all gods.

5
    As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
    but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

6
    Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
    Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

7
    Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
    ascribe to the LORD honor and power.

or
Psalm 98:1-4
Cantate Domino

1
    Sing to the LORD a new song, *
    for he has done marvelous things.

2
    With his right hand and his holy arm *
    has he won for himself the victory.

3
    The LORD has made known his victory; *
    his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4
    He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to
    the house of Israel, *
    and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Gospel
Mark 16:15-20

Jesus said to the eleven disciples, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.