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The Day of the Martyrdom of Tau Harmonius,
Bishop and Last Martyr of the Gnosis
(March 22)
THE COLLECT
Remember him, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom, Thy faithful servant Tau Harmonius, bishop of the Gnosis, and a knower of the things that are, who like his predecessors of old gave his life and blood for the Truth that makes men free. Grant him we pray thee, a place of refreshment, a blessed tranquility, and the splendor of Thy Gnosis. We thank Thee, O eternal One, for the example of this faithful shepherd, who gave up his earthly life in Thy service, and we pray that inspired by his heroic virtue we may also bear witness to the Gnosis of Love, Liberty and Light, and may with him at length enter into Thine ineffable splendor and unending joy.
Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the perfect Sermon of Hermes, the Thrice Great Lord:
In those days darkness will be preferred to light, and death will be held more useful than life; no one will look up to Heaven; the pious will be deemed mad and the impious a sage, the insane will be held brave and the most wicked good. For the soul and all things about it, whereby we assume that either it is born immortal or that it will attain to immortality, will be considered not only a jest but even non-existent. Nothing holy, nothing pious, nothing worthy of heaven or heavenly things, will be heard or believed by the mind. Nay, believe me, even the punishment of death shall be decreed for the man who has dedicated himself to the religion of the truth.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew:
Jesus taught His disciples, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
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