Dictionary

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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Collect

A collect is a short prayer used in liturgy, for example towards the beginning of the Eucharist. It often reflects the themes of the particular season of the Church’s year. Its name comes from the idea that it ‘collects’ together the lessons of the service readings.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home Publications Prayers Prayers: The Holy Innocents

Prayers: The Holy Innocents

28 December

Lord God,
we remember today the slaughter by King Herod
of the innocent children of Bethlehem.
Give us grace to be innocent in our lives
and constant in our faith even to death,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Bishop of St Asaph's Office

God of the Universe,
whose children suffered at the hands of Herod:
by your great might frustrate all evil designs,
and establish your reign of justice, love and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Venerable Robert Townsend

Collect 333

Heavenly Father,
whose children suffered at the hands of Herod:
by your great might frustrate all evil designs,
and establish your reign of justice, love and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

The Revised New Calendar and The Contemporary Collects