Chapter IX.
2454
—The Thanksgiving (Eucharist).
1. Now concerning the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), thus give thanks. 2. First, concerning the
cup:
2455
We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of
David
Thy servant,
2456
which Thou madest known to us through
Jesus
Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 3. And concerning the broken
bread
:
2457
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,
2458
and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;
2459
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.
2460
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
.