The Commemoration of the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents (transferred from yesterday) *

                                   Matthew 18:1

The 

disciples 

came 

to 

Jesus 

and 

asked “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

He called a child whom he put among them….” 

          * John is believed to be the only one of the 12 apostles who did not die a martyrs death; thus the three feast days following Christmas day are woven together to cover the various possibilities of following Christ into death and heavenly birth: Stephen was a martyr in will and deed; John was a martyr in will but not in deed; the Holy Innocents we're martyrs in deed but not in will, being too young to have a conscious choice 

The New Book of Festivals and Commemorations. 

  
      Receive,e we pray. 
      into the arms of
      your mercy,  
      all innocent victims" 
      of terrorists, 
      of war and
      violence and want 
      and disease 
      with which our 
      world abounds, 
      "frustrate the
      designs of 
      evil tyrants 
      and establish 
      your rule of
      justice, love and peace” 
            (Collect BCP)