The Eucharist Through the Centuries: 90 a.d. - 165 a.d.

Holy Eucharist El Dorado Hills Holy Trinity Church

"The main purpose of this work is to trace elements of Eucharistic  doctrine from the day our Lord Jesus Christ announced it for the first time in the synagogue in Capernaum (John, Chapter 6) down to our day."  Rev. Roberto de la Vega, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Eucharist Through The Centuries. 

Didache (90 - 100 a.d.) 

The oldest Christian document is the Didache written between 90 and 100 a.d. in the Middle East.  In writing about the Mass the Didache says: 

"Regarding the Eucharist,  Give thanks as follows:  'First, concerning the cup: "We give thee thanks, our Father, for the holy vine of David thy servant, which thou hast made known to us through thy Servant Jesus.  To thee be glory forever." 

Next, concerning the broken bread:  "We give thee thanks, our Father, for our Father, for the life and knowledge thou hast made known to us through Jesus thy Servant.  To thee be glory forever. 

As this broken bread was scattered over the hills (as grains of wheat) and then, when gathered, became one mass (of dough), so may thy Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into thy kingdom.  For thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.'"

The Didache communion prayer after receiving Communion: 'We give thee thanks, O holy Father, for thy holy name which thou hast enshrined in our hearts, and for thee knowledge and faith and immortality which thou hast made known to us through Jesus thy Servant. To thee be glory forever...but to us thou has given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through (Jesus) thy Servant...'

St. Ignatius of Antioch (died c. 110) 

St. Ignatius is the first to apply the word "catholic" to the Church established by Christ.  He uses the term in its original meaning of "universal". "Where the bishop is, there let the people be, just as where Jesus is, there is the catholic (universal) Church." 

St Ignatius of Antioch calls the Eucharist "the medicine of immortality,"...he writes "Take care, then to partake of one Eucharist; for one is the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one the cup to unite us with his blood, and one altar, just as there is one bishop assisted by the priests and the deacons."

St. Justin, Martyr (died c. 165)

In St. Justin's written defense of Christianity to the Emperor he gives us what is the earliest known description of the Mass, as it was celebrated about the year 150 in Rome.  

(That in parenthesis below
 is my addition to the writing of  St. Justin.) 

"On the day we call the day of the sun (Sunday), all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.  The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read (readings and Gospel), as much as time permits.  When the reader has finished, he (priest or bishop gives homily) who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.  Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves...and for all others (Prayer of the Faithful), wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.  When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss (Sign of Peace).  Then someone brings bread and a cup of water mixed together to him who presides over the brethren (Prepare the altar and the offering). 

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts (Eucharistic Prayer). When he has concluded the prayers and the thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying 'Amen' (The Great Amen). When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent (Holy Communion). 

And this food is with us called 'Eucharist'; and it is not lawful for anyone to partake of it but him who believes our teaching to be true, and has been washed (Baptized) with the washing which is for the forgiveness of sins and unto a new birth, and lives as Christ commanded.  For it is not as common bread or common drink that we receive these, but just as by God's word Jesus Christ our Savior became flesh and blood for our salvation, so also we have been taught that the food made Eucharist by the word of prayer that comes from Him is both flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.  For the Apostles in the memoirs they composed, which are called Gospels (John Chapter 6), have thus recorded that they were given command...that Jesus took bread...and said, 'This is my body' and took the cup and said, 'This is my blood.'" 

All Glory and Honor to the Lord.