67. But we, after these things, henceforward always remind Pro.
Doctrine and practice of the Holy Eucharist.
glory to the Father of all things, through the Name of His Apol.
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and he returns thanks at ^^^^^* length, for our being vouchsafed these things by Him.
When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgiving, all the people who are present express their assent by saying
Amen.
This word, Amen, means in the Greek language.
So be it ; and when the President has celebrated the Eucharist, and all the people have assented, they whom we call deacons give to each of those who are present a portion of the Eucharistic bread, and wine, and water; and carry them to those who are absent.
Q6. And this food is called by us the Eucharist, of which What no one is allowed to partake but he who believes the truth charist' of our doctrines ; and who has been washed in the laver for '^• the forgiveness of sins, and to regeneration ; and who so lives, as Christ has directed.
For we do not receive them as ordinary food, or ordinary drink, but as by the Word of God, Jesus Christ our Saviour was made flesh, and had both flesh and blood for our salvation; so also, the food which was blessed by the prayer of the Word which proceeded from Him, and from which our flesh and blood, by assimilation, receive nourishment, is, we are taught, both the flesh and blood of that Jesus Who was made flesh.
For the Apostles, in the records which they made, and which are called Gospels, have declared, that Jesus commanded them to do as follows
He took bread, and gave thanks, and said.
This do in Mat.26, remembrance of Me, This is My body.
And in like manner He u^rk ' took the cup, and blessed it, and said, This is My blood: and l^' ^^' gave it to them alone.
The same thing in the mysteries oi 19. &e.
Mithra also, the evil demons imitated, and commanded to be done ; for bread, and a cup of water, are placed in the mystic rites for one who is to be initiated, with the addition of certain words, as you know or may learn.
67. But we, after these things, henceforward always remind Pro. one another of them ; and those of us who have the means, ofchn?assist all who are in want; and we are always together; and tian asin all our oblations we bless the Maker of all things, through hHeg.
His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost.
And on the day which is called Sunday, there is an assembly in the same place of all who live in cities, or in country districts
5'2
Proceedings of Christian Assemblies, Just, and the records of the Apostles, or the writings of the —^^^^ Prophets, are read as long as we have time.
Then the reader concludes : and the President verbally instructs, and exhorts us, to the imitation of these excellent things then, we all together rise and offer up our prayers ; and, as I said before, when we have concluded our prayer, bread is brought, and wine, and water ; and the President, in like lammanner, offers up' prayers, and thanksgivings, with all his s|-^,gngth ; and the people give their assent by saying Amen
TTe^TTct and there is a distribution, and a partaking by every one, of the Eucharistic elements; and to those who are not present, they are sent by the hands of the deacons
; and such as are in prosperous circumstances, and wish to do so, give what they will, each according to his choice ; and what is collected is placed in the hands of the President, who assists the orj)hans, and widows, and such as through sickness, or any other cause, are in want ; and to those who are in bonds, and to strangers from afar, and, in a word, to all whp are in need, he is a protector.
B^iit^S.undayis.the.day, oixjiyhichwe all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, when He changed the darkness and matter, made the world;
L-and Jesus Christ our Saviour, on the same day, rose from the dead ; for the day before that of Saturn, He was crucified; and on the day after it, which is Sunday, He appeared to His Apostles and disciples, and taught them these things, which we have given to you also, for your consideration.
Chris68.
If, then, these things appear to you to have reason least ^iid truth, respect them ; but if they seem to be frivolous, harm- \^o\^ them in contempt as frivolities ; and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as if they were enemies : for we forewarn you, that you shall not escape the future judgment of God, if you continue in your injustice ; and we will exclaim. Let what is pleasing to God be done.
And although from the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Adrian your father, we might entreat you to command that judgment should be done according to oar petition ; yet, it is not because it was decided by Adrian, that we the rather urged this ; but we have made our appeal, and exposition, because we knew