The
earliest documentation of the Liturgies of the Eucharist and the Word co-joined
is found in the First
Apology written by St
Justin Martyr in 150 AD. The liturgy that St Justin describes is so like our
own as to be astonishing. It clearly includes the Offertory,
Preface and
Canon,
Great Amen and Holy Communion.
"No one may share in the Eucharist with us unless he
believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating
waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in
accordance with the principles given us by Christ.
We do not
consume the Eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and
drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Savior
became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the
food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh
and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the
prayer of thanksgiving.
The
apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels,
handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that He
took bread, gave thanks and said: Do
this in memory of Me. This is My body. In the same way He took the
cup, He gave thanks and said: This
is My blood. The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since
then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us
help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the
Creator of the universe through His Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy
Spirit.
On Sunday we
have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in
the city or in the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the
writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has
finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to
imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand
up together and pray.
On the
conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought
forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to
the best of his ability, and the people give their assent by saying, "Amen." The
Eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it
to those who are absent.
The
wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the
amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the
president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason
are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In
a word, he takes care of all who are in need.
We hold our
common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on
which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the
world, and because on that same day our savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
For He was crucified on Friday and on Sunday He appeared to His apostles and
disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your
consideration."
St. Justin
100 AD - 165
AD
Philosopher
and Martyr
Masterful Lay
apologist, writer
FEAST DAY -
June 1
St Justin,
pray for us!
Please take a few minutes
to learn about the Pedaling Priest -
who will bike across the United
States (beginning tomorrow, June 2)
to bring the Good News to those he
meets...
please support him in your
prayers!
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