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The Didache's Thanksgiving instructions

 

The Didache

Alternate title: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

c. 60-100 C.E.

I include the "Thanksgiving" section of the Didache because it shows that the early Christian congregations that existed before the New Testament Gospels were declared canonical did not have the fundamental Pauline doctrine of celebrating the Eucharist as the "flesh and body of Christ"." In the Didache the Eucharist celebrates God directly, not Jesus.

The complete text of the Didache was discovered in the Codex Hierosolymitanus, though a number of fragments exist, most notably in the Oxyrhynchus Papyri. It was originally composed in Greek, probably within a small community. Below is the Thanksgiving section of the Didache instructions to Christian believers.

 

CHAPTER 9 THE THANKSGIVING SACRAMENT

1) Now concerning the Thanksgiving meal, give thanks in this manner.

2) First, concerning the cup: We thank You, our Father, For the Holy Vine of David Your servant, Whom You made known to us through Your Servant Jesus; May the glory be Yours forever.

3) Concerning the broken bread: We thank You, our Father, For the life and knowledge Which You made known to us through Your Servant Jesus; May the glory be Yours forever. As this broken bread was scattered over the mountains, And was gathered together to become one, So let Your Church be gathered together From the ends of the earth into Your kingdom; for the glory and power are Yours through Jesus Christ forever.

5) But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving, unless they have been baptized in the Name of the Lord; for concerning this the Lord said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs."

 

CHAPTER 10 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

1) After the meal, give thanks in this manner:

2) We offer thanks, Holy Father, For Your Holy Name which fills our hearts, And for the knowledge, faith and eternal life, You made known to us through Your Servant Jesus; Yours is the glory forever.

3) Almighty Master, You created all things for Your own purpose; You gave men food and drink to enjoy, That they might give You thanks; But to us You freely give spiritual food and drink, And eternal life through Your Servant.

4) Foremost, we thank You because You are mighty; Yours is the glory forever.

5) Lord, Remember Your Church, To deliver it from everything evil And perfect it according yo Your love, And gather it from the four winds, Sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it; For the power and glory are Yours forever.

6) Let Your grace come, And let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David! May all who are holy, come; Let those who are not, repent. Maranatha. Amen.

7)But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as they wish.

 

 

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