ENRICO MAZZA, Didache 9-10: *
DIDACHE 9-10: ELEMENTS OF A EUCHARISTIC INTER-
PRETATION
ENRICO MAZZA
Milan Introduction A long time has passed since Connolly admitted that he was unable to explain why the term "eucharist" introduced the eucharistic prayers of Didache 9-10.! Here is the relevant text*:
Chapter 10 Chapter 9 1. After you have eaten your fill, give thanks thus:
1. Concerning the eucharist give thanks as follows.
2. First concerning the cup:
We give thanks to you, our Father, concerning the holy Vine of David your servant, which you have revealed to us through Jesus your servant.
To you be glory for ever.
2. We give thanks to you holy Father for your holy Name which you have made to dwell in our hearts and for the knowledge, faith and immortality which you have revealed to us through Jesus your servant; To you be glory for ever.
3. You Lord almighty have created everything for the sake of your Name; you have given human beings food and drink to partake with enjoyment so that they might give thanks; but to us you have given the grace of spiritual food and drink and of eternal life through your servant.
4. Above all we give you thanks because you are mighty.
To you be glory for ever.
5. Remember Lord your Church, to preserve it from all evil ; and to make it perfect in your love.
And, sanctified, gather it from the four winds into your kingdom which you have prepared for it.
Because yours is the power and the glory for ever.
3. And concerning the broken (bread):
We give thanks to you our Father for the life and knowledge which you have revealed to us through Jesus your servant.
To you be glory for ever.
4. Just as this broken (bread) was scattered upon the mountains and reunited has become one, so let your Church be reunited into your kingdom from the ends of the earth because yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever.
5. Let no one eat or drink from your eucharist except those baptized in the name of the Lord; for indeed concerning this the Lord has said:
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs."
' R. H. Connolly, "Agape and eucharist in the Didache", DRev 50 (1937) pp.
447ff.
= The text of the eucharistic prayers of the Didache is in a footnote in the original Italian article, but is included, for convenience, in the body of the text here.