First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 6: The Church

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You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever. You, Master Almighty, did create all things for Your name’s sake. You gave food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to You. But to us You freely gave spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Your Servant. Before all things we thank You that You are mighty. To You be the glory forever. Remember, Lord, Your church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it complete in Your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it. For Yours is the power and the glory forever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David! If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. 3 Amen. But allow the prophets to make thanksgiving as much as they desire. I gnatius to the P hiladelphians 4: Pay attention, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ and one cup of the unity of His blood. There is one altar just as there is one bishop, along with the elders and deacons, my fellow servants, so that whatsoever you do you may do it according to God. I gnatius to the S myrnaeans 7–8: They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they confess the

3 Maranatha – An Aramaic phrase meaning “Our Lord, come!” which also appears in 1 Cor 16:22.