From the Pastor’s Desk:

I apologize because I had forgotten that last week was our Nation’s Birthday and needed to write on it. SO I am now continuing on the History of the Mass from several weeks ago. Probably the oldest Christian text which survives from the early Church other than the Gospels is that of the Didache. The full translation of the Greek word Didache is, The Teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles to the Gentiles.

The Didache is the earliest known of Church orders and laws. It offers guidance in moral, legal, ascetical and liturgical matters. Later Church documents such as the Apostolic Constitutions, incorporate whole sections of the Didache. The chapters 9, 10, and 14 all deal specifically with the liturgy. They tell the people how to prepare and conduct themselves during the liturgy, along with prescribing different prayers for the presider (priest). Different scholars debate on the time of the writing of the Didache; however, one part of the Didache considers itself to be part of Judaism, still within the Temple setting and the synagogues. By the time the Council of Jerusalem is called somewhere from 48—50 A.D. the Christians are no longer seen as a part of Judaism. Thus the two Eucharistic prayers which are found within the Didache were written before 50 A.D.

With this knowledge of the dating of the Didache, it might be correct to say that it is older than all the books of the New Testament. Found also within these chapters, is the teaching that Holy Communion is reserved for those who are baptized, a full member of the Church and free of any grave sin. Repentance within the church is found in Chapter 14, normally involving “Confession”. In Chapter 15, the two orders of clergy are described; bishops and deacons. In the early Church of the first century, bishops were the normal presiders at Sunday Mass, with the assistance of deacons. The deacons distributed Holy Communion to those present and sometimes led the people in prayer. They also took Holy Communion to the sick who were unable to come to the communal celebration. The post Communion prayer which is prayed in masses without music, were “edited” Jewish prayers, adapted for Christian liturgy with the good news of Jesus Christ.

During the Dark Ages and through the Middle Ages, the Didache was referred to many times, but as a complete text, it disappeared. In 1875, a complete 11th century Greek manuscript was discovered in Constantinople, Istanbul today. The Didache invokes the authority of the apostles and Jesus. It could also represent an early record of Christianity compiled in Antioch, the city where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

In Chapter 9, is found the first written “Eucharist” prayer. “We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever.” Following is the breaking of the bread, “We thank you our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.” The words from the Gospels “take and eat, take and drink” are arguably thought to have been said silently by the presider.