How the Liturgy Took Shape
How the Liturgy Took Shape
SermonIndex
c. AD 30 – 500
Eleven moments from the synagogue and the upper room to the fifth-century liturgies, showing each part of the service as it first appears in the sources.
Eleven Moments in the Making of the Liturgy
How did the Christian service take shape? This part follows eleven moments from the synagogue and the table of Jewish worship, through the Last Supper and the earliest church orders, to the great liturgies of the fifth century, and shows which of the 28 parts of the service each one has. The chart is built from the same checked quotations as the comparison page.
A caution
A blank mark means that the source does not speak of that part, not that it was not done. The sources are of different kinds: some are prayers, some are descriptions, and some are rules, so a part can seem to appear when only the first source that mentions it does.
Three Layers
Taken over from the synagogue and the table
Scripture read, standing prayers, a thanksgiving over the cup and the bread, and the people’s Amen. These are in the Jewish column, and the later sources that speak of them keep them. Parts of the service in this layer: Scripture readings; Prayers or litany of the faithful; Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence; Final doxology and Amen.
Handed on from the Last Supper
The kiss of peace, the words and actions of the Supper, the remembrance “this do in remembrance of me”, the breaking of the bread and the sharing of it. The two complete liturgies at the end of the tables, St James and the Byzantine, have all five. Parts of the service in this layer: Kiss of peace; Institution narrative and words of Christ; Anamnesis (remembrance); Fraction (breaking of the bread); Communion and words of distribution.
In full only from the third and fourth centuries
In the sources shown, these are written out in full only from the third or fourth century: the opening dialogue and the prayer for the Spirit (Apostolic Tradition), the Sanctus and the prayer for the departed (Serapion), the saints, the Lord’s Prayer and “Holy things for the holy” (Cyril), and last of all the creed (St James). Earlier texts hint at some of them: the Mishnah has a call to bless, and 1 Clement the angels’ “holy, holy, holy”. What survives is thin, so a late first appearance may be an accident of the sources. Parts of the service in this layer: Opening dialogue (Sursum corda); Epiclesis on the gifts; Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy); Commemoration of the departed; Commemoration of Mary, the apostles and saints; The Lord's Prayer; "Holy things for the holy"; Creed.
The Eleven Moments
Synagogue, Temple and table (first century and earlier (the texts were written down later))
Jewish worship already had the frame: Scripture read and expounded in the synagogue, the Eighteen Benedictions, a blessing over the cup and the bread at table, and the people’s Amen. The Jewish texts quoted here were written down later (the Mishnah about AD 200), and how much of them goes back to this time is discussed on the Jewish-roots page.
Scripture readings (first appearance)
“being read in the synagogues every sabbath day” — Acts 15:21 (King James)
Sermon or homily (first appearance)
“if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on” — Acts 13:15 (King James)
Prayers or litany of the faithful (first appearance)
“Man must daily say the eighteen benedictions.” — Mishnah, Berakoth 4:3
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands (first appearance)
“the hands must be washed first” — Mishnah, Berakoth 8:2
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda) (first appearance)
“Let us bless Him of whose gifts we have eaten.” — Mishnah, Berakoth 7:3
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence (first appearance)
“who feedest the whole world with thy goodness” — Singer, Grace after Meals, p. 280
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) (first appearance)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” — Singer, Yotzer blessing, p. 39
Final doxology and Amen (first appearance)
“must be made when an Israelite pronounces a blessing” — Mishnah, Berakoth 8:8
The Lord’s Supper and the first churches (about AD 30–65)
Jesus took bread and the cup at supper and told his disciples to do it in his memory. Paul hands this on to Corinth, the church at Troas meets on the first day of the week to break bread, and Paul can speak of the people’s Amen at the giving of thanks. No prayer text survives, only the actions and a few words.
Scripture readings
“when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans” — Colossians 4:16 (King James)
Sermon or homily
“Paul preached unto them” — Acts 20:7 (King James)
Prayers or litany of the faithful (hinted)
“in breaking of bread, and in prayers” — Acts 2:42 (King James)
Kiss of peace (first appearance)
“Salute one another with an holy kiss.” — Romans 16:16 (King James)
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence (hinted)
“say Amen at thy giving of thanks” — 1 Corinthians 14:16 (King James)
Institution narrative and words of Christ (first appearance)
“took bread: … Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you” — 1 Corinthians 11:23–25 (King James)
Anamnesis (remembrance) (first appearance)
“this do in remembrance of me” — 1 Corinthians 11:24 (King James)
Final doxology and Amen (hinted)
“say Amen at thy giving of thanks” — 1 Corinthians 14:16 (King James)
Fraction (breaking of the bread) (first appearance)
“came together to break bread” — Acts 20:7 (King James)
Communion and words of distribution (first appearance)
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” — 1 Corinthians 10:16 (King James)
The Didache (about AD 50–120)
The oldest Christian eucharistic prayers outside the New Testament: a short thanksgiving over the cup, one over the broken bread, and a longer one after the meal, each ending “to thee be glory for ever”. It has no words of the Last Supper, no Sanctus and no opening dialogue.
Dismissal of the catechumens (first appearance)
“But let none eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptised in the Lord’s Name.” — Didache, row s9-5
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“Thou, Lord Almighty, didst create all things for thy Name’s sake, and didst give food and drink to men for their enjoyment, that they might give thanks to thee” — Didache, row s10-3
Oblation (we offer) (first appearance)
“come together, break bread and hold Eucharist, after confessing your transgressions that your offering may be pure” — Didache, row s14-1
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion) (first appearance)
“so let thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into thy kingdom” — Didache, row s9-4
Intercessions inside the anaphora (first appearance)
“Remember, Lord, thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in thy love, and gather it together in its holiness from the four winds to thy kingdom” — Didache, row s10-5
Final doxology and Amen
“for thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever” — Didache, row s9-4
The Lord's Prayer (first appearance)
“pray thus: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name” — Didache, row s8-2
Fraction (breaking of the bread) (hinted)
“And concerning the broken Bread: We give thee thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy child.” — Didache, row s9-3
"Holy things for the holy" (first appearance)
“If any man be holy, let him come! if any man be not, let him repent: Maranatha, Amen.” — Didache, row s10-6
Communion and words of distribution (hinted)
“let none eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptised in the Lord’s Name” — Didache, row s9-5
Thanksgiving after communion (first appearance)
“But after you are satisfied with food, thus give thanks:” — Didache, row s10-1
1 Clement (about AD 96)
The long prayer that ends the letter from the church at Rome to Corinth is not a eucharistic prayer. Many scholars read it as an example of the kind of prayer used in worship at Rome, though the letter does not say so. It asks for the afflicted, the sick, the prisoners and the rulers and ends with praise through Jesus Christ the high priest. Earlier in the letter the angels cry “holy, holy, holy”.
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) (hinted)
“they cried holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Sabaoth, the whole creation is full of his glory” — 1 Clement
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“heal the sick, turn again the wanderers of thy people, feed the hungry, ransom our prisoners” — 1 Clement
Final doxology and Amen
“through jesus christ, the high priest and guardian of our souls, through whom be glory and majesty to thee” — 1 Clement
Justin Martyr (about AD 155)
The first description of the whole Sunday service: readings from the memoirs of the apostles or the prophets, the president’s address, standing prayers, the kiss, the bread and the cup brought up, a thanksgiving “according to his ability”, the people’s Amen, and the distribution, with a portion sent to those who are absent.
Scripture readings
“the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-67-a
Sermon or homily
“the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-67-a
Prayers or litany of the faithful
“Then we all rise together and pray” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-67-a
Dismissal of the catechumens (hinted)
“of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-66-1
Kiss of peace
“Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence (hinted)
“offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, … This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body; … having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, … This is My blood;” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-66-1
Epiclesis on the gifts (first appearance)
“the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-66-1
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized … and for all others in every place” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
Final doxology and Amen (hinted)
“he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
Communion and words of distribution
“those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced” — Justin, 1 Apology, row s1-65-1
The Apostolic Tradition (about AD 215 (disputed))
The first eucharistic prayer written out in full: the dialogue, thanks for Christ, the words of the Last Supper, the remembrance and offering, the Spirit asked on the offering, and a doxology. It has no Sanctus and no intercessions, and the bishop is told he need not use these exact words.
Prayers or litany of the faithful (hinted)
“they shall join in prayer with all the people” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-7
Dismissal of the catechumens (hinted)
“the catechumens shall pray by themselves, apart from the believers” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-3
Kiss of peace
“at the close of their prayer they shall give the kiss of peace” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-7
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“the offering is immediately brought by the deacons to the bishop” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-8
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda)
“The Lord be with you. And all shall say And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord. It is meet and right.” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“We give thee thanks, O God, through thy beloved Servant Jesus Christ … Who is thy Word, inseparable from thee; through whom thou didst make all things” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Post-Sanctus: thanksgiving for redemption (first appearance)
“Whom thou didst send from heaven into the womb of the Virgin, and who, dwelling within her, was made flesh, and was manifested as thy Son” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“taking bread and giving thanks to thee said: … Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you. And likewise also the cup, saying: This is my blood, which is shed for you.” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Anamnesis (remembrance)
“Having in memory, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer to thee the bread and the cup” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Oblation (we offer)
“we offer to thee the bread and the cup, yielding thee thanks, because thou hast counted us worthy to stand before thee and to minister to thee” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Epiclesis on the gifts
“send thy Holy Spirit upon the offerings of thy holy church” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion)
“grant to all thy saints who partake to be filled with [the] Holy Spirit, that their faith may be confirmed in truth” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Final doxology and Amen
“Through thy Servant Jesus Christ, through whom be to thee glory and honour, with [the] Holy Spirit in the holy church, both now and always and world without end. Amen.” — Apostolic Tradition, row s2-3
Fraction (breaking of the bread)
“when he breaks the bread and distributes the fragments he shall say” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-8
Communion and words of distribution
“The heavenly bread in Christ Jesus … the recipient shall say, Amen” — Apostolic Tradition, row s3-8
Serapion of Thmuis (about AD 340)
An Egyptian bishop’s prayer book has a full anaphora with the Sanctus and an epiclesis that asks God’s Word, not the Spirit, to come on the gifts, followed by intercessions for the living and the dead and separate prayers for the fraction, the blessing and thanks after communion.
Prayers or litany of the faithful (hinted)
“We pray thee on behalf of all this people, be reconciled to all, make thyself known … We pray for all Rulers, may they have a peaceable life. (We pray) for the rest of the Catholic Church.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s27-2
Dismissal of the catechumens (hinted)
“we thank thee on behalf the Catechumens, because thou hast called them through the only-begotten” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s21-1
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“It is meet and right to praise, to hymn, to glorify thee the uncreated Father of the only-begotten Jesus Christ.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-1
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)
“with whom receive also our cry of "holy" as we say: Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth, full is the heaven and the earth of thy glory.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-2
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“the Lord Jesus Christ in the night in which he was betrayed took bread and broke and gave to his disciples saying … Take ye and eat, this is my body which is being broken for you for remission of sins … taking a cup after supper … said to his own disciples … Take ye, drink, this is the new covenant, which is my blood, which is being shed for you for remission of sins.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-3
Anamnesis (remembrance) (hinted)
“Wherefore we also making the likeness of the death have offered the bread” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-3
Oblation (we offer)
“to thee have we offered this living sacrifice … this bloodless oblation … To thee we have offered this bread the likeness of the body of the only-begotten.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-3
Epiclesis on the gifts
“O God of truth, let thy holy Word come upon this bread that the bread may become body of the Word, and upon this cup that the cup may become blood of the Truth” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-4
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion)
“make all who communicate to receive a medicine of life for the healing of every sickness … not for condemnation, O God of truth” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-4
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“Let this people receive mercy, let it be counted worthy of advancement, let angels be sent forth as companions to the people” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-5
Commemoration of the departed (first appearance)
“We intercede also on behalf of all who have been laid to rest, whose memorial we are making. … Sanctify these souls: for thou knowest all.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-6
Final doxology and Amen
“through the only-begotten Jesus Christ in holy Spirit; as it was and is and shall be to generations of generations and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s1-7
Prayer of inclination or blessing (first appearance)
“I stretch out the hand upon this people and pray that the hand of the truth may be stretched out and blessing given to this people” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s3-1
Fraction (breaking of the bread)
“Count us worthy of this communion also, O God of truth, and make our bodies to contain purity and our souls prudence and knowledge.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s2-1
Communion and words of distribution (hinted)
“We give thanks to thee, that thou hast given us communion of (the) body and blood. Bless us, bless this people, make us to have a part with the body and the blood” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s4-1
Thanksgiving after communion
“We thank thee, Master, that thou hast called those who have erred, and hast taken to thy self those who have sinned” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s4-1
Blessing and dismissal (first appearance)
“let the communion of the body and the blood go along with this people. Let their bodies be living bodies, and their souls be clean souls.” — Serapion of Thmuis, row s6-1
Cyril of Jerusalem (about AD 350 (the last lectures may be a little later))
Lectures to the newly baptised explain the Jerusalem liturgy step by step: the washing of the priest’s hands, the kiss of peace, the dialogue, the Sanctus, the epiclesis, the intercessions and the Lord’s Prayer. He gives the words of the Last Supper in the lecture before, on the body and blood (lecture 22), and does not repeat them when he describes the prayer.
Kiss of peace
“the Deacon cries aloud … Receive ye one another; and let us kiss one another” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-2
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“the Deacon who gives to the Priest water to wash … to the Presbyters who stand round God's altar” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-1
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda)
“the Priest cries aloud … Lift up your hearts … Then ye answer … We lift them up unto the Lord” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-3
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“we make mention of heaven … and earth, and sea … of sun and moon; of stars and all the creation, rational and irrational, visible and invisible” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-4
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)
“crying Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Sabaoth” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-4
Oblation (we offer) (hinted)
“over that sacrifice of propitiation we entreat God for the common peace of the Churches … we all pray and offer this sacrifice” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-5
Epiclesis on the gifts
“we beseech the merciful God to send forth His Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before Him; that He may make the Bread the Body of Christ, and the Wine the Blood of Christ … for whatsoever the Holy Ghost has touched, is surely sanctified and changed” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-5
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“we entreat God for the common peace of the Churches, for the welfare of the world … for kings; for soldiers and allies; for the sick; for the afflicted” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-5
Commemoration of the departed
“on behalf also of the Holy Fathers and Bishops who have fallen asleep before us, and in a word of all who in past years have fallen asleep among us” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-5
Commemoration of Mary, the apostles and saints (first appearance)
“we commemorate also those who have fallen asleep before us, first Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, that at their prayers and intercessions God would receive our petition” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-5
The Lord's Prayer
“Then, after these things, we say that Prayer which the Saviour delivered to His own disciples” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-6
"Holy things for the holy"
“the Priest says … Holy things to holy men … One is Holy, One is the Lord, Jesus Christ” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-10
Communion and words of distribution
“make thy left hand a throne … as for that which is to receive a King … receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-11
Thanksgiving after communion
“Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who hath accounted thee worthy of so great mysteries” — Cyril of Jerusalem, row s23-12
Apostolic Constitutions, book 8 (about AD 380)
A Syrian church order lays out the entire service in order: the lessons and the sermon, the dismissal of the catechumens and the long deacon’s litany, the kiss, the thanksgiving with the Sanctus, the institution and the epiclesis, then communion and the final prayers.
Opening greeting and blessing (first appearance)
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all; and let them all answer, and with Thy Spirit” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-17
Scripture readings
“after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, and our Epistles, and Acts, and the Gospels” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-17
Sermon or homily
“let him speak to the people the words of exhortation; and when he has ended his word of doctrine” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-17
Prayers or litany of the faithful
“Let us pray for the peace and happy settlement of the” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-26
Dismissal of the catechumens
“Go out, ye catechumens, in peace” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-20
Kiss of peace
“Salute ye one another with the holy kiss” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-30
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“let the deacons bring the gifts to the bishop at the altar” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-32
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda)
“We lift it up unto the Lord. The high priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord. All the people: It is meet and right so to do” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-33
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“It is very meet and fight before all things to sing an hymn to Thee, who art the true God, who art before all beings” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-33
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts, heaven and earth are full of His glory: be Thou blessed for ever” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-41
Post-Sanctus: thanksgiving for redemption
“For Thou art truly holy, and most holy, the highest and most highly exalted for ever. Holy also is Thy only begotten Son our Lord and God, Jesus Christ” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-41
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“For in the same night that He was betrayed, He took bread" in His holy and undefiled hands … This is my body, which is broken for many, for the remission of sins” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-44
Anamnesis (remembrance)
“Being mindful, therefore, of His passion, and death, and resurrection from the dead, and return into the heavens, and His future second appearing” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-44
Oblation (we offer)
“we offer to Thee, our King and our God, according to His constitution, this bread and this cup” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-44
Epiclesis on the gifts
“send down upon this sacrifice Thine Holy Spirit, the Witness of the Lord Jesus' sufferings, that He may show this bread to be the body of Thy Christ, and the cup to be the blood of Thy Christ” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-45
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion)
“that those who are partakers thereof may be strengthened for piety, may obtain the remission of their sins, may be delivered from the devil and his deceit, may be filled with the Holy Ghost” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-45
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“We further pray unto Thee, O Lord, for thy holy Church spread from one end of the world to another” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-45
Commemoration of the departed (hinted)
“Let us pray for those that are departed in the faith” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-48
Commemoration of Mary, the apostles and saints
“We further offer to Thee also for all those holy persons who have pleased Thee from the beginning of the world-patriarch, prophets, righteous men, apostles, martyrs, confessors” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-46
Final doxology and Amen
“for to Thee belongs all glory and worship, and thanksgiving, honour and adoration, the Father, with the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, both now and always” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-47
Prayer of inclination or blessing
“Bow down to God through His Christ, and receive the blessing” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-53
"Holy things for the holy"
“Holy things for holy persons. And let the people answer: There is One that is holy; there is one Lord, one Jesus Christ, blessed for ever, to the glory of God the Father” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-49
Communion and words of distribution
“let the bishop partake, then the presbyters, and deacons, and sub-deacons, and the readers, and the singers, and the ascetics … And let the bishop give the oblation, saying, The body of Christ” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-49
Thanksgiving after communion
“Now we have received the precious body and the precious blood of Christ, let us give thanks to Him who has thought us worthy to partake of these His holy mysteries” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-51
Blessing and dismissal
“And the deacon shall say, Depart in peace” — Apostolic Const. 8, row s1-54
The Liturgy of St James (fourth century on (the written text is later))
The liturgy of the Jerusalem and Antioch family is complete: the litany, the creed before the anaphora, the dialogue, the Sanctus with the Benedictus, the institution, the anamnesis, the epiclesis, the intercessions and the Lord’s Prayer.
Opening greeting and blessing
“The Priest: Peace be to all. The People: And to thy spirit” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-8
Scripture readings
“Then there are read in order the holy oracles of the Old Testament, and of the prophets” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-8
Sermon or homily (hinted)
“After the reading and instruction the Deacon says” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-8
Prayers or litany of the faithful
“The Deacon makes the Universal Litany: In peace let us pray to the Lord” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-16
Dismissal of the catechumens
“Let none remain of the catechumens, none of the unbaptized, none of those who are unable to join with us in prayer” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-11
Kiss of peace
“The Deacon: Let us salute one another with an holy kiss” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-15
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“The Priest, bringing in the holy gifts, says this prayer: O God, our God, who didst send forth the heavenly bread” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-13
Creed (first appearance)
“I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God: and the rest of the Creed” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-14
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda)
“The People: And with thy spirit. The Priest: Let us lift up our minds and our hearts. The People: It is becoming and right” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-26
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“Verily it is becoming and right, proper and due to praise Thee, to sing of Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-26
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)
“Holy, holy, holy, O Lord of Sabaoth, the heaven and the earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-27
Post-Sanctus: thanksgiving for redemption
“Holy art Thou, King of eternity, and Lord and giver of all holiness; holy also Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-27
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“Having taken the bread in His holy and pure and blameless and immortal hands … Take, eat: this is my body, broken for you, and given for remission of sins” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-28
Anamnesis (remembrance)
“Remembering, therefore, His life-giving sufferings, His saving cross, His death and His burial, and resurrection from the dead on the third day” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-29
Oblation (we offer)
“even we, sinful men, offer unto Thee, O Lord, this dread and bloodless sacrifice” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-29
Epiclesis on the gifts
“Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and send forth on us, and on these offered gifts, Thy all-holy Spirit” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-30
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion)
“That they may be to all that partake of them for remission of sins, and for life everlasting, for the sanctification of souls and of bodies” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-31
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“Remember also, O Lord, our holy fathers and brethren in it, and the bishops in all the world, who rightly divide the word of Thy truth” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-32
Commemoration of the departed
“Remember, O Lord God, the spirits and all flesh, of whom we have made mention, and of whom we have not made mention, who are of the true faith, from righteous Abel unto this day: unto them do Thou give rest” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-34
Commemoration of Mary, the apostles and saints
“Hail, Mary, highly favoured: the Lord is with Thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed the fruit of thy womb” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-34
Final doxology and Amen
“Through the grace and compassion and love of Thy only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed and glorified, together with the all-holy, and good, and quickening Spirit, now and ever” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-35
The Lord's Prayer
“Our Father, which art in heaven: hollowed be Thy name; and so on to the doxology” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-37
Prayer of inclination or blessing
“The Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord. The People: To Thee, O Lord. The Priest prays, speaking thus: To Thee, O Lord, we Thy servants have bowed our heads before Thy holy altar” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-38
Fraction (breaking of the bread)
“Then the Priest breaks the bread, and holds the half in his right hand, and the half in his left, and dips that in his right hand in the chalice” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-40
"Holy things for the holy"
“He takes up the gifts and saith aloud: The holy things unto holy. The People: One only is holy, one Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-39
Communion and words of distribution
“Then he distributes to the clergy; and when the deacons take the disks and the chalices for distribution to the people” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-42
Thanksgiving after communion
“We render thanks to Thee, Christ our God, that Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy body and blood, for the remission of sins, and for life everlasting” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-44
Blessing and dismissal
“In the peace of Christ let us go on: The People: In the name of the Lord” — Liturgy of St James, row s1-47
The Byzantine liturgy of Constantinople (fifth century on (this English is a 1906 translation))
The liturgy of Constantinople keeps the same bones, with the creed before the anaphora, the Sanctus, the institution and epiclesis, the intercessions after the epiclesis, the Lord’s Prayer and “Holy things for the holy”. The English is Hapgood’s 1906 translation of the service books now in use, so the wording is later than the fifth century; what the tables shows is the shape.
Opening greeting and blessing
“Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages” — Basil, row s5-38
Scripture readings
“The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle” — Basil, row s5-61
Prayers or litany of the faithful
“In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord” — Basil, row s5-39
Dismissal of the catechumens
“Depart, all ye Catechumens, depart. Depart, all ye Catechumens: let no Catechumen remain” — Basil, row s5-75
Kiss of peace
“Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess” — Basil, row s5-94
Offering of the gifts / washing of hands
“the Great Entrance, with the Holy Gifts, is made” — Basil, row s5-80
Creed
“I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible” — Basil, row s5-96
Opening dialogue (Sursum corda)
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all … And with thy spirit. Priest (pointing upward). Lift up your hearts” — Basil, row s5-98
Preface: thanksgiving for creation and providence
“O thou who in verity existest, Master, Lord God, Father Almighty adorable: Meet is it, in truth, and just and befitting the majesty of thy holiness, that we should magnify thee, praise thee, bless thee, adore thee” — Basil, row s5-100
Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest” — Basil, row s5-102
Post-Sanctus: thanksgiving for redemption
“Holy art thou, of a truth, and all-holy, and there are no bounds to the majesty of thy holiness, and just art thou in all thy works” — Basil, row s5-103
Institution narrative and words of Christ
“he took bread in his holy and stainless hands, and when he had shown it unto thee, his God and Father, he gave thanks, blessing it, sanctifying it, and breaking it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles” — Basil, row s5-108
Anamnesis (remembrance)
“Wherefore, we also, O Master, having in remembrance his redeeming Passion and life-giving Cross, his three days' Burial, and his Resurrection from the dead, his Ascension into Heaven, and his Sitting on the right hand of thee, the God and Father, and his glorious and terrible Coming-again” — Basil, row s5-111
Oblation (we offer)
“Thine own, of thine own, we offer unto thee, in behalf of all, and for all … presenting unto thee the holy emblems of the sacred Body and Blood of thy Christ” — Basil, row s5-112
Epiclesis on the gifts
“that thy Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these Gifts here spread forth before thee, and bless them, and sanctify and manifest them” — Basil, row s5-112
Epiclesis on the communicants (fruits of communion)
“And unite all us who partake of the one Bread and the one Cup, one to another in the communion of the Holy Spirit; and grant that no one of us may partake of that holy Body and Blood of thy Christ unto judgment or unto condemnation” — Basil, row s5-117
Intercessions inside the anaphora
“Have in remembrance, also, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is from end to end of the Universe; and give peace unto Her whom thou hast purchased with the precious Blood of thy Christ” — Basil, row s5-119
Commemoration of the departed
“call to remembrance all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal” — Basil, row s5-117
Commemoration of Mary, the apostles and saints
“Especially our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary: And Saint John, the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist; the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles” — Basil, row s5-117
Final doxology and Amen
“And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and praise thine all-honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen” — Basil, row s5-126
The Lord's Prayer
“And vouchsafe, O Lord, that boldly and without condemnation we may call upon thee, God the heavenly Father, and say … Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name” — Basil, row s5-130
Prayer of inclination or blessing
“O Master, Lord, the Father of bounties, and the God of all comfort, bless, sanctify, guard, strengthen, fortify those who have bowed their heads unto thee” — Basil, row s5-131
Fraction (breaking of the bread)
“Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken, yet not disunited ; which is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof” — Basil, row s5-133
"Holy things for the holy"
“Holy things unto the Holy. Choir. One only is holy, one only is the Lord, Jesus Christ, in the glory of God the Father” — Basil, row s5-133
Communion and words of distribution
“The servant of God, N., partaketh of the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, unto the remission of his (or her) sins, and unto life everlasting” — Basil, row s5-146
Thanksgiving after communion
“in thy holy, pure, immortal and heavenly Mysteries, which thou hast given unto us for the welfare and sanctification and healing of our souls and bodies” — Basil, row s5-145
Blessing and dismissal
“The blessing of the Lord, through his grace and love towards mankind, be upon you always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages” — Basil, row s5-153