Didache

Anonymous

Didache. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation In Two Volumes. Vol. I. Lake, Kirsopp, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1912.

And concerning the Eucharist, hold[*](The translation fails to preserve the play on the words, which might be rendered concerning the giving of thanks, give thanks thus, etc. But this would obscure the fact that εὐχαριστία is here quite clearly Eucharist (cf. v. 5).) Eucharist[*](The Eucharist) thus:

First concerning the Cup, We give thanks[*](The Cup) to thee, our Father, for the Holy Vine of David thy child, which, thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy child; to thee be glory for ever.

And concerning the broken Bread: We give thee thanks,[*](The Bread) our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy child. To thee be glory for ever.

As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains, but was brought together and became one, so let thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into thy kingdom, for thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever.

But let none eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptised in the Lord’s Name. For concerning this also did the Lord say, Give not that which is holy to the dogs.

But after you are satisfied with food, thus give[*](The final prayer in the Eucharist) thanks:

We give thanks to thee, O Holy Father, for thy Holy Name which thou didst make to tabernacle

in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy Child. To thee be glory for ever.

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, but us hast thou blessed with spiritual food and drink and eternal light through thy Child.

Above all we give thanks to thee for that thou art mighty. To thee be glory for ever.

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 which thou hast prepared for it. For thine is the power and the glory for ever.

Let grace come and let this world pass away. Hosannah to the God of David. If any man be holy, let him come! if any man be not, let him repent: Maranatha,[*](A transliteration of Aramaic words meaning Our Lord! Come!) Amen.

But suffer the prophets to hold Eucharist as they will.