Philip Schaff: ANF07. Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, and Liturgies

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Chapter IX.—The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)

Chapter IX.²⁴⁵⁴²⁴⁵⁴ The eucharistic prayers of this and the following chapter are only partially reproduced in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 25, 26; that of verse 2 has no parallel. —The Thanksgiving (Eucharist).

1. Now concerning the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), thus give thanks. 2. First, concerning the 380cup:²⁴⁵⁵²⁴⁵⁵ This is a variation from the order of the New Testament and of all liturgies: probably this led to its omission in Apostolic Constitutions. The word “for” may be substituted for “concerning” here and in verse 3. [Possibly a response for recipients.] We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant,²⁴⁵⁶²⁴⁵⁶ Peculiar to this passage, but derived from a common scriptural figure and from the paschal formula. Comp. especially John xv. 1; Matt. xxvi. 29; Mark xiv. 25. which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 3. And concerning the broken bread:²⁴⁵⁷²⁴⁵⁷ The word κλάσμα is found in the accounts of the feeding of the multitude (Matt. xiv. 20, xv. 37, and parallels); it was naturally applied to the broken bread of the Eucharist. We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 4. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills,²⁴⁵⁸²⁴⁵⁸ This reference to “hills,” or “mountains,” is used as an argument against the Egyptian origin of the Teaching. and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;²⁴⁵⁹²⁴⁵⁹ This part of the verse is found in Apostolic Constitutions. Schaff properly calls attention to the distinction here made between “Thy Church” and “Thy kingdom.” for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever. 5. But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving (Eucharist), but they who have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord hath said, Give not that which is holy to the dogs.²⁴⁶⁰²⁴⁶⁰ Matt. vii. 6.

²⁴⁵⁴ The eucharistic prayers of this and the following chapter are only partially reproduced in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 25, 26; that of verse 2 has no parallel.

²⁴⁵⁵ This is a variation from the order of the New Testament and of all liturgies: probably this led to its omission in Apostolic Constitutions. The word “for” may be substituted for “concerning” here and in verse 3. [Possibly a response for recipients.]

²⁴⁵⁶ Peculiar to this passage, but derived from a common scriptural figure and from the paschal formula. Comp. especially John xv. 1; Matt. xxvi. 29; Mark xiv. 25.

²⁴⁵⁷ The word κλάσμα is found in the accounts of the feeding of the multitude (Matt. xiv. 20, xv. 37, and parallels); it was naturally applied to the broken bread of the Eucharist.

²⁴⁵⁸ This reference to “hills,” or “mountains,” is used as an argument against the Egyptian origin of the Teaching.

²⁴⁵⁹ This part of the verse is found in Apostolic Constitutions. Schaff properly calls attention to the distinction here made between “Thy Church” and “Thy kingdom.”

²⁴⁶⁰ Matt. vii. 6.

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Chapter IX.—The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)

Contents

Chapter IX.24542454 The eucharistic prayers of this and the following chapter are only partially reproduced in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 25, 26; that of verse 2 has no parallel. —The Thanksgiving (Eucharist).

Chapter IX.²⁴⁵⁴²⁴⁵⁴ The eucharistic prayers of this and the following chapter are only partially reproduced in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 25, 26; that of verse 2 has no parallel. —The Thanksgiving (Eucharist).