Lecture XXIII.

(On the Mysteries. V.)

 On the Sacred Liturgy and Communion   1  This title is added by the Benedictine Editor. There is nothing corresponding to it in the Greek.  . 

1 Pet. ii. 1

 Wherefore putting away all filthiness, and all guile, and evil speaking  2  The text is made up from memory of James i. 21: διὸ ἀποθέμενοι πᾶσαν ῥυπαρίαν, and 1 Pet. ii. 1: ἀποθέμενοι οὖν πᾶσαν κακίαν καὶ πάντα δόλον καὶ ὑποκρίσεις καὶ πάσας καταλαλίας.  , &c. 

1. By the loving-kindness of God ye have heard sufficiently at our former meetings concerning Baptism, and Chrism, and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ; and now it is necessary to pass on to what is next in order, meaning to-day to set the crown on the spiritual building of your edification.

2. Ye have seen then the Deacon who gives to the Priest water to wash  3  In the Apostolic Constitutions, VIII. xi, this duty is assigned to a sub-deacon: “Let one of the sub-deacons bring water to wash the hands of the priests, which is a symbol of the purity of those souls that are devoted to God.” See Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, “Lavabo.” The Priest who celebrates the Eucharist is here distinguished by the title ἱερεύς from the other Presbyters who stood round the altar. , and to the Presbyters who stand round God’s altar. He gave it not at all because of bodily defilement; it is not that; for we did not enter the Church at first  4  Cyril evidently refers to the custom of placing vessels of water outside the entrance of the Church. Bingham, Antiquities, VIII. iii. 6. Chrysost. In Johannem Hom. lxxiii. 3: “Do we then wash our hands when going into Church, and shall we not wash our hearts also?” That the same custom was observed in heathen Temples appears from Herod. I. 51: περιῤῥαντήρια δύο ἀνέθηκε (See Bähr’s note). Compare also Joseph. Ant. Jud. III. vi. 2. with defiled bodies. But the washing of hands is a symbol that ye ought to be pure from all sinful and unlawful deeds; for since the hands are a symbol of action, by washing  5  [τῷ] νίψασθαι. Rupp: “Τῷ ex conjectura addidi.” Possibly the original reading was νιψάμενοι, which would easily become altered through the presence of νιψασθαι in the preceding line. This washing is not mentioned in the Liturgy of St. James. them, it is evident, we represent the purity and blamelessness of our conduct. Didst thou not hear the blessed David opening this very mystery, and saying,  I will wash my hands in innocency, and so will compass Thine Altar, O Lord  6  Ps. xxvi. 6. In the Liturgy of Constantinople this Psalm was chanted by the Priest and Deacon while washing their hands at the Prothesis or Credence. ? The washing therefore of hands is a symbol of immunity  7  ἀνυπεύθυνος. from sin.

3. Then the Deacon cries aloud, “Receive ye one another; and let us kiss one another  8  These two directions by the Deacon are separated in the Liturgy of St. James: after the dismissal of the Catechumens, the Deacon says, “Take note one of another;” and after the Incense, Cherubic hymn, Oblation, Creed, and a short prayer “that we may be united one to another in the bond of peace and charity,” the Deacon says, “Let us salute (ἀγαπῶμεν) one another with a holy kiss.” In the Apostolic Constitutions, VIII. 11, there is but one such direction, and this comes before the washing of hands and the dismissal of the Catechumens, “Salute (ἀσπάσασθε) ye one another with a holy kiss.” .” Think not that this kiss is of the same character with those given in public by common friends. It is not such: but this kiss blends souls one with another, and courts entire forgiveness for them. The kiss therefore is the sign that our souls are mingled together, and banish all remembrance of wrongs. For this cause Christ said,  If thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against time, leave there thy gift upon the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift   9  Matt. v. 23. From Cyril’s reference to this passage “it may be inferred that the kiss of peace had been given before the gifts were brought to the altar, according to ancient custom attested by Justin M. Apolog. i. c. 65: ‘Having ended the prayers’ (for the newly baptized) ‘we salute one another with a kiss. Then there is brought to the President of the brethren bread, and a cup of wine mixed with water’” (Ben. Ed.). There is the same order in the Apost. Const. VIII. 12, and in the 19th Canon of the Synod of Laodicea; but in the Liturgy of S. James the gifts are offered before the kiss of peace. . The kiss therefore is reconciliation, and for this reason holy: as the blessed Paul somewhere cried, saying,  Greet ye one another with a holy kiss  10  1 Cor. xvi. 20. ; and Peter,  with a kiss of charity  11  1 Pet. iii. 15. .

4. After this the Priest cries aloud, “Lift up your hearts  12  The words are slightly varied in the Liturgies: thus in the Liturgy of St. James, “Let us lift up our mind and hearts;” in the Apost. Const. viii. 12, “Lift up your mind.” .” For truly ought we in that most awful hour to have our heart on high with God, and not below, thinking of earth and earthly things. In effect therefore the Priest bids all in that hour to dismiss all cares of this life, or household anxieties, and to have their heart in heaven with the merciful God. Then ye answer, “We lift them up unto the Lord:” assenting to it, by your avowal. But let no one come here, who could say with his mouth, “We lift up our hearts unto the Lord,” but in his thoughts have his mind concerned with the cares of this life. At all times, rather, God should be in our memory but if this is impossible by reason of human infirmity, in that hour above all this should be our earnest endeavour.

5. Then the Priest says, “Let us give thanks unto the Lord.” For verily we are bound to give thanks, that He called us, unworthy as we were, to so great grace; that He reconciled us when we were His foes; that He vouchsafed to us the Spirit of adoption. Then ye say, “It is meet and right:” for in giving thanks we do a meet thing and a right; but He did not right, but more than right, in doing us good, and counting us meet for such great benefits.

6. After this, we make mention of heaven, and earth, and sea  13  Compare the noble Eucharistic Preface in the Liturgy of St. James: “It is verily meet, right, becoming, and our bounden duty to praise Thee, to sing of Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee, to glorify Thee, to give thanks to Thee the Maker of every creature, visible and invisible, the Treasure of eternal blessings; the Fount of life and immortality, the God and Lord of all, whom the heavens of heavens do praise, and all the powers thereof, sun and moon and all the choir of the stars, earth, sea, and all that in them is, Jerusalem the heavenly assembly, Church of the firstborn that are written in the heavens, spirits of righteous men and prophets, souls of martyrs and Apostles. Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, and Powers dread, also the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, which with twain of their wings cover their faces, and with twain their feet, and with twain do fly, crying one to another with unresting lips, in unceasing praises, singing with loud voice the triumphant hymn of Thy majestic glory, shouting, and glorifying, and crying aloud, and saying,—Holy, Holy, Holy, O Lord of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” ; of sun and moon; of stars and all the creation, rational and irrational, visible and invisible; of Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Thrones; of the Cherubim with many faces: in effect repeating that call of David’s  Magnify the Lord with me  14  Ps. xxxiv. 3. . We make mention also of the Seraphim, whom Esaias in the Holy Spirit saw standing around the throne of God, and with two of their wings veiling their face, and with twain their feet, while with twain they did fly, crying  Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Sabaoth  15  Is. vi. 2, 3. . For the reason of our reciting this confession of God  16  θεολογίαν, “the doctrine of the Godhead,” either of the Son in particular, or, as here, of the whole Trinity: cf. Athanas. Contra Arianos, Or. i. § 18: νῦν ἐν τρίαδι ἡ θεολογία τελεία ἐστίν. , delivered down to us from the Seraphim, is this, that so we may be partakers with the hosts of the world above in their Hymn of praise.

7. Then having sanctified ourselves by these spiritual Hymns, we beseech the merciful God to send forth His Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before Him; that He may make the Bread the Body of Christ, and the Wine the Blood of Christ  17  In the Liturgy of St. James the Triumphal Hymn is followed by the ‘Recital of the work of Redemption,’ and of ‘the Institution,’ by the ‘Great Olbation,’ and then by the ‘Invocation,’ as follows: “Have mercy upon us, O God, after Thy great mercy, and send forth on us, and on these gifts here set before Thee, Thine all-holy Spirit,.…that He may come, and by His holy, good, and glorious advent (παρουσίᾳ) may sanctify this Bread and make it the holy Body of Thy Christ (Amen), and this Cup the precious Blood of Thy Christ” (Amen). In Cat. xix. 7, Cyril calls this prayer “the holy Invocation of the Adorable Trinity,” and in xxi. 3, “the Invocation of the Holy Ghost.” ; for whatsoever the Holy Ghost has touched, is surely sanctified and changed.

8. Then, after the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless service, is completed, over that sacrifice of propitiation  18  See Index, “Sacrifice,” and the reference there to the Introduction. Compare Athenagoras (Apol. c. xiii.): “What have I to do with burnt-offerings, of which God has no need? Though indeed it behoves us to bring a bloodless sacrifice, and the reasonable service.” we entreat God for the common peace of the Churches, for the welfare of the world  19  Cyril here gives a brief summary of the “Great Intercession,” in which, according to the common text of the Liturgy of St. James, there is a suffrage “for the peace and welfare (εὐστάθεια) of the whole world, and of the holy Churches of God.” Mr. Hammond thinks that it has been taken from the Deacon’s Litany, and repeated by mistake in the Great Intercession. But from Chrysostom’s language (In Ep. ad Phil. Hom. iii. p. 218; Guame, T. xi. p. 251), we must infer that the prayer ὑπὲρ εἰρήνης καὶ εὐσταθείας τοῦ κόσμου formed part of the ‘Great Intercession’ in his Liturgy, as it does in the Clementine (Apost. Constit. VIII. § 10). ; for kings; for soldiers and allies; for the sick; for the afflicted; and, in a word, for all who stand in need of succour we all pray and offer this sacrifice.

9. Then we commemorate also those who have fallen asleep before us, first Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, that at their prayers and intercessions God would receive our petition  20  In the Liturgies of St. James and St. Mark, and in the Clementine, there are similar commemorations of departed saints, especially “patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs,” but nothing corresponding to the words, “that at their prayers and intercessions God would receive our petition.” See Index, Prayer and Intercession. . Then on behalf also of the Holy Fathers and Bishops who have fallen asleep before us, and in a word of all who in past years have fallen asleep among us, believing that it will be a very great benefit to the souls  21  So Chrysostom (In 1 Cor. Hom. 41, p. 457 A): “Not in vain was this rule ordained by the Apostles, that in the dread Mysteries remembrance should be made of the departed: for they knew that it is a great gain to them, and a great benefit.” , for whom the supplication is put up, while that holy and most awful sacrifice is set forth.

10. And I wish to persuade you by an illustration. For I know that many say, what is a soul profited, which departs from this world either with sins, or without sins, if it be commemorated in the prayer? For if a king were to banish certain who had given him offence, and then those who belong to them  22  οἱ τούτοις διαφέροντες. “Hesychius, Διαφέρει, ἀνήκει. Ubi Kusterus ait, ἀνήκει, id est. “pertinet,” vel “attinet” Routh, Scriptor. Eccles. Opuscula, p. 441). Dr. Routh’s note refers to Nicæni Conc. Can. xvi.: ὑφαρπάσαι τὸν τῷ ἑτέρῳ διαφέροντα. Cf. Synodi Nic. ad Alexandrinos Epist.: διαφέροντα τῇ Αἰγύπτῳ καὶ τῂ ἁγιωτάτῃ ᾽Αλεξανδρέων ἐκκλησία. should weave a crown and offer it to him on behalf of those under punishment, would he not grant a remission of their penalties? In the same way we, when we offer to Him our supplications for those who have fallen asleep, though they be sinners, weave no crown, but offer up Christ sacrificed for our sins  23  According to the Ben. Ed. the meaning is not “We offer Christ, who was sacrificed for our sins,” but “We offer for our sins Christ sacrificed,” i.e. “Christ lying on the altar as a victim sacrificed,” in allusion to Apoc. V. 6, 12. See Index, “Sacrifice.” , propitiating our merciful God for them as well as for ourselves.

11. Then, after these things, we say that Prayer which the Saviour delivered to His own disciples, with a pure conscience entitling God our Father, and saying,  Our Father, which art in heaven . O most surpassing loving-kindness of God! On them who revolted from Him and were in the very extreme of misery has He bestowed such a complete forgiveness of evil deeds, and so great participation of grace, as that they should even call Him Father.  Our Father, which art in heaven ; and they also are a heaven who  bear the image of the heavenly  24  1 Cor. xv. 49. , in whom is God,  dwelling and walking in them  25  2 Cor. vi. 16. .

12.  Hallowed be Thy Name . The Name of God is in its nature holy, whether we say so or not; but since it is sometimes profaned among sinners, according to the words,  Through you My Name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles  26  Is. lii. 5; Rom. ii. 24. , we pray that in us God’s Name may be hallowed; not that it comes to be holy from not being holy, but because it becomes holy in us, when we are made holy, and do things worthy of holiness.

13.  Thy kingdom come . A pure soul can say with boldness,  Thy kingdom come ; for he who has heard Paul saying,  Let not therefore sin reign in your mortal body  27  Rom. vi. 12. , and has cleansed himself in deed, and thought, and word, will say to God,  Thy kingdom come .

14.  Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth . God’s divine and blessed Angels do the will of God, as David said in the Psalm,  Bless the Lord, all ye Angels of His, mighty in strength, that do His pleasure  28  Ps. ciii. 20. . So then in effect thou meanest this by thy prayer, “as in the Angels Thy will is done, so likewise be it done on earth in me, O Lord.”

15.  Give us this day our substantial bread . This common bread is not substantial bread, but this Holy Bread is substantial, that is, appointed for the substance of the soul  29  “It is manifest that the author derives the word ἐπιούσιος from the two words ἐπί and οὐσία, as do many others: although the explanation which derives it from ἐπιούσῃ ἡμέρᾳ is more probable. We render it “substantial” in accordance with Cyril’s meaning, with which the word “super-substantial does not agree” (Ben. Ed.). . For this Bread  goeth not  into the belly and is cast out into the draught  30  Matt. xv. 17. , but is distributed into thy whole system for the benefit of body and soul  31  Cat. xxii. § 3, note 1. Ben. Ed. “We are not to think that Cyril supposed the Body of Christ to be distributed and digested into our body; but in the usual way of speaking he attributes to the Holy Body that which belongs only to the species under which It is hidden. Nor does he deny that those species pass into the draught, but only the Body of Christ.” Cf. Iren. V. ii. 2, 3, and “Eucharistic Doctrine” in the Introduction. . But by  this day , he means, “each day,” as also Paul said,  While it is called to-day  32  Heb. iii. 15. .

16.  And forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors . For we have many sins. For we offend both in word and in thought, and very many things we do worthy of condemnation; and  if we say that we have no sin , we lie, as John says  33  1 John i. 8. We deceive ourselves. . And we make a covenant with God, entreating Him to forgive us our sins, as we also forgive our neighbours their debts. Considering then what we receive and in return for what, let us not put off nor delay to forgive one another. The offences committed against us are slight and trivial, and easily settled; but those which we have committed against God are great, and need such mercy as His only is. Take heed therefore, lest for the slight and trivial sins against thee thou shut out for thyself forgiveness from God for thy very grievous sins.

17.  And lead us not into temptation, O Lord . Is this then what the Lord teaches us to pray, that we may not be tempted at all? How then is it said elsewhere, “a man untempted, is a man unproved  34  Tertull. De Bapt. c. 20: “For the word had gone before ‘that no one untempted should attain to the celestial kingdoms.’” Apost. Const. II. viii.: “The Scripture says, ‘A man that is a reprobate (ἀδόκιμος) is not tried (ἀπείραστος) by God.’” Resch, Agrapha, Logion 26, p. 188, quotes allusions to the saying in Jas. i. 12, 13; 2 Cor. xiii. 5, 6, 7, and concludes that it was recorded as a saying of our Lord in one of the un-canonical gospels (Luke i. 1), where it occurred in the context of the incident narrated in Matt. xxvi. 41, Mark xiv. 38. ;” and again,  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations  35  Jas. i. 2. ? But does perchance the entering into temptation mean the being overwhelmed by the temptation? For temptation is, as it were, like a winter torrent difficult to cross. Those therefore who are not overwhelmed in temptations, pass through, shewing themselves excellent swimmers, and not being swept away by them at all; while those who are not such, enter into them and are overwhelmed. As for example, Judas having entered into the temptation of the love of money, swam not through it, but was overwhelmed and was strangled  36  ἀπεπνίγη. Matt. xxvii. 5: ἀπήγξατο. both in body and spirit. Peter entered into the temptation of the denial; but having entered, he was not overwhelmed by it, but manfully swam through it, and was delivered from the temptation  37  Compare the description of Peter’s repentance in Cat. ii. 19. . Listen again, in another place, to a company of unscathed saints, giving thanks for deliverance from temptation,  Thou, O God hast proved us; Thou hast tried us by fire like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; Thou layedst afflictions upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; and thou broughtest us out into a place of rest   38  Ps. lxvi. 10–12. . Thou seest them speaking boldly in regard to their having passed through and not been pierced  39  For ἐμπαρῆναι the Ben. Ed. conjectures ἐμπαγῆναι “to have been stuck fast.” .  But Thou broughtest us out into a place of rest ; now their coming into a place of rest is their being delivered from temptation.

18.  But deliver us from the evil . If  Lead us not into temptation implied the not being tempted at all, He would not have said,  But deliver us from the evil . Now evil is our adversary the devil, from whom we pray to be delivered  40  Cyril is here a clear witness for the reference of τοῦ πονηροῦ to “the wicked one.” . Then after completing the prayer thou sayest,  Amen  41  From § 14, εὐχόμενος τοῦτο λέγεις, it seems probable that the whole Prayer was said by the people as well as by the Priest. See Introduction, “Eucharistic Rites.” ; by this  Amen , which means “So be it,” setting thy seal to the petitions of the divinely-taught prayer.

19. After this the Priest says, “Holy things to holy men.” Holy are the gifts presented, having received the visitation of the Holy Ghost; holy are ye also, having been deemed worthy of the Holy Ghost; the holy things therefore correspond to the holy persons  42  Compare Waterland on this passage, c. X. p 688. . Then ye say, “One is Holy, One is the Lord, Jesus Christ  43  Apost. Const. VIII. c. xiii: “Let the Bishop speak thus to the people: Holy things for holy persons. And let the people answer: There is One that is holy; there is one Lord, one Jesus Christ, blessed for ever, to the glory of God the Father.” The Liturgies of St. James and of Constantinople have nearly the same words: in the Liturgy of St. Mark the answer of the people is: One Father holy, one Son holy, one Spirit holy, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. .” For One is truly holy, by nature holy; we too are holy, but not by nature, only by participation, and discipline, and prayer.

20. After this ye hear the chanter inviting you with a sacred melody to the communion of the Holy Mysteries, and saying,  O taste and see that the Lord is good  44  Ps. xxxiv. 9. In the Apostolic Constitutions the “Sancta Sanctis” and its response are immediately followed by the “Gloria in excelsis,” and the “Hosanna.” Then the Clergy partake, and there follows a direction that this Psalm xxxiv. is to be said while all the rest are partaking. In the Liturgy of Constantinople there is the direction: “The Choir sings the communion antiphon (τὸ κοινωνικόν) of the day or the saint.” . Trust not the judgment to thy bodily palate  45  For μὴ ἐπιτρέπητε, probably an itacism, we should read μὴ ἐπιτρέπεται, as a question, the propriety of the change being indicated by the answer οὐχί. “Is the judgment of this entrusted to the bodily palate? No, but, &c.” no, but to faith unfaltering; for they who taste are bidden to taste, not bread and wine, but the anti-typical  46  ἀντιτύπου σώματος, “the antitypical Body,” not “the antitype of the Body,” which would require τοῦ σώματος. Cf. Cat. xxi. § 1, note 6. Body and Blood of Christ.

21. In approaching  47  Cat. xviii. 32: “with what reverence and order you must go from Baptism to the Holy Altar of God.” therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers spread; but make thy left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King  48  Cyril appears to be the earliest authority for thus placing the hands in the form of a Cross. A similar direction is given in the 101st Canon of the Trullan Council (692), and by Joh. Damasc. (De Fid. Orthod. iv. 14). Dict. Chr. Ant. “Communion.” That the communicant was to receive the Bread in his own hands is clear from the language of Cyril and other Fathers. Cf. Clem. Alex. Strom. I. c. i. § 5: “Some after dividing the Eucharist according to custom allow each of the laity himself to take his part.” See the passage of Origen quoted in the next note, and Tertull. Cor. Mil. c. iii. “The Sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord commanded both (to be taken) at meal-times and by all, we take even in assemblies before dawn, and from the hand of none but the presidents.” . And having hollowed thy palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it,  Amen . So then after having carefully hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest thou lose any portion thereof  49  Origen. Hom. xiii. in Exod. § 3: “I wish to admonish you by examples from your own religion: ye, who have been accustomed to attend the Sacred Mysteries, know how, when you receive the Body of the Lord, you guard it with all care and reverence, that no little part of it fall down, no portion of the consecrated gift slip away. For you believe yourselves guilty, and rightly so believe, if any part thereof fall through carelessness.” ; for whatever thou losest, is evidently a loss to thee as it were from one of thine own members. For tell me, if any one gave thee grains of gold, wouldest thou not hold them with all carefulness, being on thy guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Wilt thou not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from thee of what is more precious than gold and precious stones?

22. Then after thou hast partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood; not stretching forth thine hands, but bending  50  κύπτων, not kneeling, but standing in a bowing posture. Cf. Bingham, XV. c. 5, § 3. , and saying with an air of worship and reverence,  Amen  51  Apost. Const. VIII. c. 13: “Let the Bishop give the Oblation (προσφοράν) saying, The Body of Christ. And let him that receiveth say, Amen. And let the Deacon hold the Cup, and when he delivers it say, The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Life. And let him that drinketh say, Amen.” , hallow thyself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon thy lips, touch it with thine hands, and hallow thine eyes and brow and the other organs of sense  52  Cat. xxi. 3, note 8. . Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who hath accounted thee worthy of so great mysteries  53  In the Liturgy of St. James, after all have communicated, “The Deacons and the People say: Fill our mouths with Thy praise, O Lord, and fill our lips with joy, that we may sing of Thy glory, of Thy greatness, all the day. And again: We render thanks to Thee, Christ our God, that Thou hast accounted us worthy to partake of Thy Body and Blood, &c.” .

23. Hold fast these traditions undefiled and, keep yourselves free from offence. Sever not yourselves from the Communion; deprive not yourselves, through the pollution of sins, of these Holy and Spiritual Mysteries.  And the God of peace sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit, and soul, and body be preserved entire without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ   54  1 Thess. v. 23. :—To whom be glory and honour and might, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and world without end. Amen.

[5]  ΚΑΤΗΧΗΣΙΣ ΜΥΣΤΑΓΩΓΙΚΗ Εʹ Καὶ ἀνάγνωσις Πέτρου καθολικῆς ἐπιστολῆς: «Διὸ ἀποθέμενοι πᾶσαν κακίαν καὶ δόλον καὶ καταλαλιάν», καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς. 

Τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ φιλανθρωπίᾳ, ἐν ταῖς προλαβούσαις συνάξεσιν, ἀρκούντως ἀκηκόατε περί τε βαπτίσματος καὶ χρίσματος καὶ μεταλήψεως σώματος καὶ αἵματος Χριστοῦ. Νῦν δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ἑξῆς μεταβαίνειν ἀναγκαῖον, σήμερον τὴν στεφάνην ἐπιθήσοντας τῇ πνευματικῇ ὑμῶν τῆς ὠφελείας οἰκοδομῇ.

Ἑωρᾶτε τοίνυν τὸν διάκονον τὸν νίψασθαι διδόντα τῷ ἱερεῖ, καὶ τοῖς κυκλοῦσι τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ θυσιαστήριον πρεσβυτέροις. Οὐ πάντως δὲ διὰ τοῦτο ἐδίδου διὰ τὸν σωματικὸν ῥύπον: οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτο. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ῥύπον σώματος ἔχοντες, τὴν ἀρχὴν εἰσῄειμεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν. Ἀλλὰ σύμβολον τοῦ δεῖν ἡμᾶς πάντων καθαρεύειν τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων τε καὶ ἀνομημάτων, τὸ νίψασθαι. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ χεῖρες σύμβολον πράξεως, νιπτόμεθα δὲ ταύτας, τὸ καθαρὸν δηλονότι καὶ ἄμωμον τῶν πράξεων αἰνιττόμενοι. Οὐκ ἤκουσας τοῦ μακαρίου Δαβὶδ αὐτὸ τοῦτό σε μυσταγωγοῦντος καὶ λέγοντος: «Νίψομαι ἐν ἀθῴοις τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ κυκλώσω τὸ θυσιαστήριόν σου, Κύριε»; Οὐκοῦν τὸ νίψασθαι τὰς χεῖρας, τὸ ἀνυπεύθυνον εἶναι ἁμαρτημάτων ἐστίν.

Εἶτα βοᾷ ὁ διάκονος: «Ἀλλήλους ἀπολάβετε καὶ ἀλλήλους ἀσπαζώμεθα.» Μὴ ὑπολάβῃς τὸ φίλημα ἐκεῖνο σύνηθες εἶναι τοῖς ἐπ' ἀγορᾶς γινομένοις ὑπὸ τῶν κοινῶν φίλων: οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτο τοιοῦτο, ἀλλὰ τὸ φίλημα τοῦτο ἀνακίρνησι τὰς ψυχὰς ἀλλήλαις, καὶ πᾶσαν ἀμνησικακίαν αὐταῖς μνηστεύεται. Σημεῖον τοίνυν ἐστὶ τὸ φίλημα τοῦ ἀνακραθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς καὶ πᾶσαν ἐξορίζειν μνησικακίαν. Διὰ τοῦτο ὁ χριστὸς ἔλεγεν: «Ἐὰν προσφέρῃς τὸ δῶρόν σου ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, καὶ ἐκεῖ μνησθῇς ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔχει τι κατὰ σοῦ, ἄφες τὸ δῶρόν σου ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, καὶ ὕπαγε πρῶτον διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, καὶ τότε ἐλθὼν πρόσφερε τὸ δῶρόν σου.» Οὐκοῦν τὸ φίλημα διαλλαγή ἐστι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἅγιον, ὥς που ὁ μακάριος Παῦλος ἐβόα λέγων: «Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ», καὶ Πέτρος: «Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης.»

Μετὰ τοῦτο βοᾷ ὁ ἱερεύς: «Ἄνω τὰς καρδίας.» Ἀληθῶς γὰρ κατ' ἐκείνην τὴν φρικωδεστάτην ὥραν δεῖ ἄνω ἔχειν τὴν καρδίαν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ μὴ κάτω περὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὰ γήινα πράγματα. Δυνάμει τοίνυν προστάττει ὁ ἱερεὺς κατ' ἐκείνην τὴν ὥραν πάντας ἀφιέναι φροντίδας βιωτικάς, μερίμνας κατ' οἶκον, καὶ ἔχειν ἐν οὐρανῷ τὴν καρδίαν πρὸς τὸν φιλάνθρωπον Θεόν.

Εἶτα ἀποκρίνεσθε: «Ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον», τούτῳ συγκατατιθέμενοι, δι' ὧν ὁμολογεῖτε. Μηδεὶς δὲ τοιοῦτος παρέστω, ὡς στόματι μὲν λέγειν: «Ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον», τῇ δὲ διανοίᾳ περὶ τὰς βιωτικὰς ἔχειν τὸν νοῦν φροντίδας. Πάντοτε μὲν οὖν Θεοῦ μνημονευτέον: εἰ δὲ τοῦτο διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τὴν ἀνθρωπίνην ἀδύνατον, κατ' ἐκείνην μάλιστα τὴν ὥραν τοῦτο φιλοτιμητέον.

Εἶτα ὁ ἱερεὺς λέγει: «Εὐχαριστήσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ.» Ὄντως γὰρ εὐχαριστεῖν ὀφείλομεν, ὅτι ἀναξίους ὄντας ἡμᾶς ἐκάλεσεν εἰς τὴν τηλικαύτην χάριν, ὅτι ἐχθροὺς ὄντας κατήλλαξεν, ὅτι πνεύματος υἱοθεσίας κατηξίωσεν. Εἶτα λέγετε: «Ἄξιον καὶ δίκαιον.» Εὐχαριστοῦντες γὰρ ἡμεῖς ἄξιον ποιοῦμεν πρᾶγμα καὶ δίκαιον: αὐτὸς δὲ οὐ δίκαιον, ἀλλ' ὑπὲρ τὸ δίκαιον ποιῶν, ἡμᾶς εὐηργέτησε καὶ τηλικούτων ἠξίωσεν ἀγαθῶν.

Μετὰ ταῦτα μνημονεύομεν οὐρανοῦ, καὶ γῆς, καὶ θαλάσσης, ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης, ἄστρων, πάσης κτίσεως λογικῆς τε καὶ ἀλόγου, ὁρατῆς τε καὶ ἀοράτου, ἀγγέλων, ἀρχαγγέλων, δυνάμεων, κυριοτήτων, ἀρχῶν, ἐξουσιῶν, θρόνων, τῶν χερουβὶμ τῶν πολυπροσώπων, δυνάμει λέγοντες τὸ τοῦ Δαβίδ: «Μεγαλύνατε τὸν Κύριον σὺν ἐμοί.» Μνημονεύομεν καὶ τῶν σεραφίμ, ἃ ἐν Πνεύματι ἁγίῳ ἐθεάσατο Ἡσαΐας παρεστηκότα κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ταῖς μὲν δυσὶ πτέρυξι κατακαλύπτοντα τὸ πρόσωπον, ταῖς δὲ δυσὶ τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ταῖς δυσὶ πετόμενα, καὶ λέγοντα: «Ἅγιος, ἅγιος, ἅγιος Κύριος Σαβαώθ.» Διὰ τὸ γὰρ τὴν παραδοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν ἐκ τῶν σεραφὶμ δοξολογίαν ταύτην λέγομεν, ὅπως κοινωνοὶ τῆς ὑμνῳδίας ταῖς ὑπερκοσμίοις γενώμεθα στρατιαῖς.

Εἶτα ἁγιάσαντες ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τῶν πνευματικῶν τούτων ὕμνων, παρακαλοῦμεν τὸν φιλάνθρωπον Θεὸν τὸ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα ἐξαποστεῖλαι ἐπὶ τὰ προκείμενα, ἵνα ποιήσῃ τὸν μὲν ἄρτον σῶμα Χριστοῦ, τὸν δὲ οἶνον αἷμα Χριστοῦ: παντὸς γὰρ οὗ ἂν ἐφάψηται τὸ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, τοῦτο ἡγίασται καὶ μεταβέβληται.

Εἶτα μετὰ τὸ ἀπαρτισθῆναι τὴν πνευματικὴν θυσίαν, τὴν ἀναίμακτον λατρείαν, ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας ἐκείνης τοῦ ἱλασμοῦ, παρακαλοῦμεν τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ κοινῆς τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν εἰρήνης, ὑπὲρ τῆς τοῦ κόσμου εὐσταθείας, ὑπὲρ βασιλέων, ὑπὲρ στρατοπέδων καὶ συμμάχων, ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐν ἀσθενείαις, ὑπὲρ τῶν καταπονουμένων, καὶ ἁπαξαπλῶς ὑπὲρ πάντων τῶν βοηθείας δεομένων δεόμενοι δὲ πάντες ἡμεῖς ταύτην προσφέρομεν τὴν θυσίαν.

Εἶτα μνημονεύομεν καὶ τῶν κεκοιμημένων, πρῶτον πατριαρχῶν, προφητῶν, ἀποστόλων, μαρτύρων, ὅπως ὁ Θεὸς εὐχαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ πρεσβείαις προσδέξηται ἡμῶν τὴν δέησιν. Εἶτα καὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων πατέρων καὶ ἐπισκόπων, καὶ πάντων ἁπλῶς τῶν ἡμῖν προκεκοιμημένων, μεγίστην ὄνησιν πιστεύοντες ἔσεσθαι ταῖς ψυχαῖς, ὑπὲρ ὧν ἡ δέησις ἀναφέρεται, τῆς ἁγίας καὶ φρικωδεστάτης προκειμένης θυσίας.

Καὶ βούλομαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ ὑποδείγματος πεῖσαι. Οἶδα γὰρ πολλοὺς τοῦτο λέγοντας ὅτι: Τί ὠφελεῖται ψυχή, μετὰ ἁμαρτημάτων ἀπαλλασσομένη τοῦδε τοῦ κόσμου, ἢ οὐ μεθ' ἁμαρτημάτων, ἐὰν ἐπὶ τῆς προσφορᾶς μνημονεύηται; Ἆρα γάρ, εἴ τις βασιλεὺς προσκεκρουκότας αὐτῷ ἐξορίστους ποιήσειεν, εἶτα οἱ τούτοις διαφέροντες, στέφανον πλέξαντες, ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐν τιμωρίαις αὐτῷ τοῦτον προσενέγκοιεν, οὐκ ἂν αὐτοῖς ἄνεσιν δῴη τῶν κολάσεων; Τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ ἡμεῖς, ὑπὲρ τῶν κεκοιμημένων αὐτῷ τὰς δεήσεις προσφέροντες, κἂν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ὦσιν, οὐ στέφανον πλέκομεν, ἀλλὰ Χριστὸν ἐσφαγιασμένον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἡμετέρων ἁμαρτημάτων προσφέρομεν, ἐξιλεούμενοι ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν τε καὶ ἡμῶν τὸν φιλάνθρωπον Θεόν.

Εἶτα μετὰ ταῦτα τὴν εὐχὴν λέγεις ἐκείνην, ἣν ὁ Σωτὴρ παρέδωκε τοῖς οἰκείοις αὐτοῦ μαθηταῖς, μετὰ καθαρᾶς συνειδήσεως Πατέρα ἐπιγραφόμενος τὸν Θεὸν καὶ λέγων: «Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.» Ὢ τῆς μεγίστης τοῦ Θεοῦ φιλανθρωπίας: τοῖς ἀποπηδήσασιν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν ἐσχάτοις γενομένοις κακοῖς τοσαύτην δεδώρηται κακῶν ἀμνηστίαν καὶ χάριτος μετουσίαν, ὡς καὶ Πατέρα ἐπικαλεῖσθαι. Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Οὐρανοὶ δὲ εἶεν ἂν καὶ οἱ τὴν τοῦ ἐπουρανίου φοροῦντες εἰκόνα, ἐν οἷς ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς ἐνοικῶν καὶ ἐμπεριπατῶν.

«Ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου.» Ἅγιόν ἐστι φύσει τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὄνομα, κἂν λέγωμεν, κἂν μὴ λέγωμεν. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ ἐν τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν ἔσθ' ὅτε βεβηλοῦται κατὰ τὸ «Δι' ὑμᾶς τὸ ὄνομά μου διὰ παντὸς βλασφημεῖται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν», εὐχόμεθα ἐν ἡμῖν ἁγιασθῆναι τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὄνομα: οὐχ ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ μὴ εἶναι ἅγιον ἐπὶ τὸ εἶναι ἔρχεται, ἀλλ' ὅτι ἐν ἡμῖν ἅγιον γίνεται ἁγιαζομένοις καὶ ἄξια τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ ποιοῦσιν.

«Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου.» Καθαρᾶς ψυχῆς ἐστι τὸ σὺν παρρησίᾳ φάναι: «Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου». Ὁ γὰρ ἀκούσας Παύλου λέγοντος: «Μὴ οὖν βασιλευέτω ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι», ἀλλὰ καθάρας ἑαυτὸν πράξει καὶ ἐννοίᾳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐρεῖ τῷ Θεῷ: «Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου.»

«Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.» Οἱ θεῖοι καὶ μακάριοι τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄγγελοι τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ θέλημα ποιοῦσι, καθὼς ὁ Δαβὶδ ψάλλων ἔλεγεν: «Εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντες οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτοῦ, δυνατοὶ ἰσχύι, ποιοῦντες τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ.» Δυνάμει τοίνυν εὐχόμενος τοῦτο λέγεις: Ὡς ἐν ἀγγέλοις γίνεταί σου τὸ θέλημα, οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐν ἐμοὶ γένηται, Δέσποτα.

Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον.« Ὁ ἄρτος οὗτος ὁ κοινὸς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐπιούσιος: ὁ δὲ ἄρτος οὗτος ὁ ἅγιος ἐπιούσιός ἐστιν, ἀντὶ τοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν οὐσίαν τῆς ψυχῆς κατατασσόμενος. Οὗτος ὁ ἄρτος οὐκ εἰς κοιλίαν χωρεῖ καὶ εἰς ἀφεδρῶνα ἐκβάλλεται, ἀλλ' εἰς πᾶσάν σου τὴν σύστασιν ἀναδίδοται εἰς ὠφέλειαν ψυχῆς τε καὶ σώματος. Τὸ δὲ σήμερον ἀντὶ τοῦ καθ' ἡμέραν λέγει, ὡς καὶ ὁ Παῦλος ἔλεγεν: »Ἄχρις οὗ τὸ σήμερον καλεῖται.«

»Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν.« Πολλὰ ἔχομεν ἁμαρτήματα: πταίομεν γὰρ καὶ ἐν λόγῳ καὶ ἐν διανοίᾳ, καὶ πλεῖστα καταγνώσεως ἄξια ποιοῦμεν. »Καὶ ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ψευδόμεθα«, ὡς λέγει Ἰωάννης. Καὶ συνθήκας πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν τιθέμεθα, συγχωρῆσαι ἡμῖν παρακαλοῦντες τὰ ἁμαρτήματα, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς τοῖς πέλας τὰ ὀφειλήματα. Ἐννοοῦντες τοίνυν ἀνθ' οἵων οἷα λαμβάνομεν, μὴ ἀναμείνωμεν μηδὲ ὑπερτιθώμεθα συγχωρεῖν ἀλλήλοις. Τὰ πταίσματα τὰ γινόμενα εἰς ἡμᾶς μικρά ἐστι καὶ εὐτελῆ καὶ εὐδιάλυτα, τὰ δὲ εἰς Θεὸν ὑφ' ἡμῶν γινόμενα μεγάλα ἐστί, καὶ τῆς αὐτοῦ μόνης δεόμεθα φιλανθρωπίας. Πρόσεχε οὖν, μὴ διὰ τὰ μικρὰ καὶ εὐτελῆ εἰς σὲ ἁμαρτήματα ἀποκλείσῃς σεαυτῷ τῶν βαρυτάτων ἁμαρτημάτων τὴν παρὰ Θεοῦ συγχώρησιν.

»Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν«, Κύριε. Ἆρα τοῦτο διδάσκει εὔχεσθαι ἡμᾶς, μηδόλως πειρασθῆναι, ὁ Κύριος; Καὶ πῶς εἴρηται ἀλλαχοῦ: Ἀνὴρ ἀπείραστος ἀδόκιμος, καὶ πάλιν: »Πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε, ἀδελφοί μου, ὅταν πειρασμοῖς περιπέσητε ποικίλοις:«; Ἀλλὰ μήποτε τὸ εἰσελθεῖν ἐστιν εἰς πειρασμὸν τὸ καταβαπτισθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ πειρασμοῦ: ἔοικε γὰρ ὁ πειρασμὸς ὥσπερ χειμάρρῳ τινὶ δυσκόλῳ πρὸς διάβασιν. Οἱ μὲν οὖν ἐν πειρασμοῖς μὴ καταβαπτιζόμενοι διαβαίνουσιν, ἄριστοί τινες κολυμβηταὶ γινόμενοι καὶ μηδόλως ὑπ' αὐτοῦ κατασυρόμενοι. Οἱ δὲ μὴ τοιοῦτοι εἰσιόντες καταβαπτίζονται: οἷον, ὡς ἐπὶ παραδείγματος, Ἰούδας εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸν τῆς φιλοχρηματίας πειρασμὸν οὐ διενήξατο, ἀλλὰ καταβαπτισθεὶς ὡς σωματικῶς καὶ πνευματικῶς ἀπεπνίγη. Πέτρος εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν τῆς ἀρνήσεως πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ εἰσελθὼν οὐ κατεβαπτίσθη, ἀλλὰ γενναίως διενήξατο καὶ ἐρρύσθη ἀπὸ τοῦ πειρασμοῦ.

Ἄκουε πάλιν ἀλλαχοῦ ὁλοκλήρων ἁγίων χοροῦ εὐχαριστοῦντος ἐπὶ τῷ ἐξαιρεθῆναι τοῦ πειρασμοῦ: »Ἐδοκίμασας ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, ἐπύρωσας ἡμᾶς ὡς πυροῦται τὸ ἀργύριον: εἰσήγαγες ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν παγίδα: ἔθου θλίψεις ἐπὶ τὸν νῶτον ἡμῶν: ἐπεβίβασας ἀνθρώπους ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν. Διήλθομεν διὰ πυρὸς καὶ ὕδατος, καὶ ἐξήγαγες ἡμᾶς εἰς ἀναψυχήν.« Ὁρᾷς αὐτοὺς παρρησιαζομένους ἐπὶ τῷ διελθεῖν καὶ μὴ ἐμπαγῆναι; »Καὶ ἐξήγαγες ἡμᾶς εἰς ἀναψυχήν«: τὸ εἰς ἀναψυχὴν ἐλθεῖν ταὐτόν ἐστι τὸ ἀπὸ πειρασμοῦ ῥυσθῆναι.

»Ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.« Εἰ ἦν τὸ »Μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμὸν« τοῦ μηδόλως πειρασθῆναι παραστατικόν, οὐκ ἂν ἔλεγεν: »Ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.« Πονηρὸς δὲ ὁ ἀντικείμενος δαίμων, ἀφ' οὗ ῥυσθῆναι εὐχόμεθα. Εἶτα μετὰ τὴν πλήρωσιν τῆς εὐχῆς λέγεις »Ἀμήν«, ἐπισφραγίζων διὰ τοῦ Ἀμήν, ὃ σημαίνει »γένοιτο«, τὰ ἐν τῇ θεοδιδάκτῳ εὐχῇ.

Μετὰ ταῦτα λέγει ὁ ἱερεύς: »Τὰ ἅγια τοῖς ἁγίοις«. Ἅγια τὰ προκείμενα, ἐπιφοίτησιν δεξάμενα ἁγίου Πνεύματος: ἅγιοι καὶ ὑμεῖς, Πνεύματος ἁγίου καταξιωθέντες. Τὰ ἅγια οὖν τοῖς ἁγίοις κατάλληλα. Εἶτα ὑμεῖς λέγετε: »Εἷς ἅγιος, εἷς Κύριος, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός«. Ἀληθῶς γὰρ εἷς ἅγιος, φύσει ἅγιος: ἡμεῖς γάρ, εἰ καὶ ἅγιοι, ἀλλ' οὐ φύσει, ἀλλὰ μετοχῇ καὶ ἀσκήσει καὶ εὐχῇ.

Μετὰ ταῦτα ἀκούετε τοῦ ψάλλοντος μετὰ μέλους θείου προτρεπρομένου ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν κοινωνίαν τῶν ἁγίων μυστηρίων καὶ λέγοντος: »Γεύσασθε καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ Κύριος.« Μὴ τῷ λάρυγγι τῷ σωματικῷ ἐπιτρέπητε τὸ κριτικόν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ἀνενδοιάστῳ πίστει: γευόμενοι γὰρ οὐκ ἄρτου καὶ οἴνου γεύεσθε, ἀλλὰ ἀντιτύπου σώματος καὶ αἵματος Χριστοῦ.

Προσιὼν οὖν μὴ τεταμένοις τοῖς τῶν χειρῶν καρποῖς προσέρχου, μηδὲ διῃρημένοις τοῖς δακτύλοις: ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀριστερὰν θρόνον ποιήσας τῇ δεξιᾷ, ὡς μελλούσῃ Βασιλέα ὑποδέχεσθαι, καὶ κοιλάνας τὴν παλάμην δέχου τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐπιλέγων »Ἀμήν«. Μετ' ἀσφαλείας οὖν ἁγιάσας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῇ ἐπαφῇ τοῦ ἁγίου σώματος μεταλάμβανε, προσέχων μὴ παραπολέσῃς τι ἐκ τούτου: ὅπερ γὰρ ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃς, τοῦτο ὡς ἀπὸ οἰκείου ἐζημιώθης μέλους. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, εἴ τίς σοι ἔδωκε ψήγματα χρυσίου, οὐκ ἂν μετὰ πάσης ἀσφαλείας ἐκράτεις, φυλαττόμενος μή τι αὐτῶν παραπολέσῃς καὶ ζημίαν ὑποστῇς; Οὐ πολλῷ οὖν μᾶλλον ἀσφαλέστερον τοῦ χρυσίου καὶ λίθων τιμίων τιμιωτέρον διασκοπήσεις ὑπὲρ τοῦ μὴ ψῖχα ἐκπεσεῖν;

Εἶτα μετὰ τὸ κοινωνῆσαί σε τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, προσέρχου καὶ τῷ ποτηρίῳ τοῦ αἵματος, μὴ ἀνατείνων τᾶς χεῖρας, ἀλλὰ κύπτων, καὶ τρόπῳ προσκυνήσεως καὶ σεβάσματος λέγων τὸ »Ἀμὴν«, ἁγιάζου καὶ ἐκ τοῦ αἵματος μεταλαμβάνων Χριστοῦ. Ἔτι δὲ τῆς νοτίδος ἐνούσης τοῖς χείλεσι χερσὶν ἐπαφώμενος καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ μέτωπον καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἁγίαζε αἰσθητήρια. Εἶτα ἀναμείνας τὴν εὐχήν, εὐχαρίστει τῷ Θεῷ τῷ καταξιώσαντί σε τῶν τηλικούτων μυστηρίων.

Ταύτας κατέχετε τὰς παραδόσεις ἀσπίλους, καὶ ἀπροσκόπους ἑαυτοὺς διαφυλάξατε: τῆς κοινωνίας ἑαυτοὺς μὴ ἀπορρήξητε, μὴ διὰ μολυσμὸν ἁμαρτίας τῶν ἱερῶν τούτων καὶ πνευματικῶν ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστερήσητε μυστηρίων.

Ὁ δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ σῶμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη,» ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.