First Apology 65
Summary: After baptism the new Christian joins the prayers; bread and wine mixed with water are brought, thanks are given, and deacons distribute them, also to those absent.
Greek text · Rauschen, 104–106
Ἡμεῖς δὲ μετὰ τὸ οὕτως λοῦσαι τὸν πεπεισμένον καὶ συγκατατεθειμένον ἐπὶ τοὺς λεγομένους ἀδελφοὺς ἄγομεν, ἔνθα συνηγμένοι εἰσί, κοινὰς εὐχὰς ποιησόμενοι ὑπέρ τε ἑαυτῶν καὶ τοῦ φωτισθέντος καὶ ἄλλων πανταχοῦ πάντων εὐτόνως, ὅπως καταξιωθῶμεν τὰ ἀληθῆ μαθόντες καὶ διʼ ἔργων ἀγαθοὶ πολιτευταὶ καὶ φύλακες τῶν ἐντεταλμένων εὑρεθῆναι, ὅπως τὴν αἰώνιον σωτηρίαν σωθῶμεν. Ἀλλήλους φιλήματι ἀσπαζόμεθα παυσάμενοι τῶν εὐχῶν. Ἔπειτα προσφέρεται τῷ προεστῶτι τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἄρτος καὶ ποτήριον ὕδατος καὶ κράματος, καὶ οὗτος λαβὼν αἶνον καὶ δόξαν τῷ πατρὶ τῶν ὅλων διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου ἀναπέμπει καὶ εὐχαριστίαν ὑπὲρ τοῦ κατηξιῶσθαι τούτων παρʼ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πολὺ ποιεῖται· οὗ συντελέσαντος τὰς εὐχὰς καὶ τὴν εὐχαριστίαν πᾶς ὁ παρὼν λαὸς ἐπευφημεῖ λέγων· Ἀμήν. Τὸ δὲ ἀμὴν τῇ ἑβραΐδι φωνῇ τὸ γένοιτο σημαίνει. Εὐχαριστήσαντος δὲ τοῦ προεστῶτος καὶ ἐπευφημήσαντος παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ οἱ καλούμενοι παρʼ ἡμῖν διάκονοι διδόασιν ἑκάστῳ τῶν παρόντων μεταλαβεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ εὐχαριστηθέντος ἄρτου καὶ οἴνου καὶ ὕδατος καὶ τοῖς οὐ παροῦσιν ἀποφέρουσι.
English · Claude translation
But we, after we have thus washed the one who has been persuaded and has given his assent, lead him to those who are called brothers, where they are gathered together, to offer common prayers earnestly for ourselves and for the one who has been illuminated and for all others everywhere, that, having learned the truth, we may be counted worthy to be found good citizens also by our deeds and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with eternal salvation. When we have ended the prayers, we greet one another with a kiss. Then bread and a cup of water and mixed wine are brought to the president of the brothers, and he takes them and sends up praise and glory to the Father of all through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and offers thanksgiving at length for our being counted worthy of these things by him. And when he has finished the prayers and the thanksgiving, all the people present assent, saying, “Amen.” “Amen” in the Hebrew language means “So be it.” And when the president has given thanks and all the people have assented, those who are called among us deacons give to each of those present a share of the bread and wine and water over which thanks have been given, and take it away to those who are not present.
About this passage
Notes
Translation notes
- “President” (ὁ προεστώς): literally “the one who presides.” Justin uses a descriptive term for a non-Christian reader; it is usually understood as the bishop or presiding presbyter.
- “Thanksgiving” (εὐχαριστία): here the prayer of thanks; in chapter 66 the same word names the food itself (“Eucharist”).
- “Mixed wine” (κρᾶμα): wine mixed with water, as was usual in antiquity.
Cite this passage
Justin, 1 Apol. 65 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/justin-1-apology/65/).
Plain text
Justin, 1 Apol. 65 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/justin-1-apology/65/).
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