Mass = Corporate Worship
Similarly, Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), in his First Apology, describes the Eucharistic celebration as a central act of Christian worship. He outlines the structure of the service, which includes readings from Scripture, prayers, and the breaking of bread. Justin emphasizes the importance of thanksgiving and the transformative nature of the Eucharist, where the elements become the body and blood of Christ. He highlights that this practice fosters a deep sense of community among believers and encourages a life of moral integrity.
Maximus the Confessor (580-662 AD) highlights the significance of the Eucharist as a central act of Christian worship. He emphasizes the mystery of the sacrament, the transformation of the elements into the body and blood of Christ, and the importance of unity within the Church. Maximus encourages a liturgical life that fosters communion with God and with one another, underscoring the necessity of repentance and spiritual preparation before receiving communion.
Our Anglo Catholic Influence
The Order for Holy Communion in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the American Missal reflects the foundational elements present in the Didache, Justin Martyr, and the teachings of Maximus the Confessor:
Eucharistic Focus: Both the Didache and Justin emphasize the Eucharist as a communal and transformative act of worship, which is mirrored in the Anglican tradition through the celebration of Holy Communion as the central rite.
Preparation and Confession: The emphasis on spiritual preparation found in Maximus’s teachings aligns with the Anglican liturgy's call for confession and repentance before receiving communion, promoting a mindset of humility and reverence.
Thanksgiving: The Didache’s focus on thanksgiving during the Eucharist is echoed in the Anglican prayers of thanksgiving and the Great Thanksgiving prayer in the communion service, where the congregation expresses gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice.
Community and Unity: All three traditions highlight the importance of community in worship. The liturgy is not just an individual act but a communal celebration that fosters unity among believers, as emphasized in the Didache, Justin Martyr, and Maximus’s writings.
In summary, the liturgical practices outlined in the Didache and the teachings of Justin Martyr and Maximus the Confessor inform the structure and theological understanding of the Order for Holy Communion in the Anglican tradition, emphasizing the sacramental nature of the Eucharist, the need for preparation, and the communal aspect of worship.
A Biblical and Historical Approach
Our liturgy can be traced all the way back to the liturgy of St. James. The Liturgy of St. James is traditionally attributed to St. James the Just, the first bishop of Jerusalem. It is believed to have originated in the first century AD, shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the exact date of its inception is not definitively recorded in historical texts.
The liturgy itself was formalized and developed over the years, with references to it appearing in various Christian texts and traditions. The most significant manuscript of the Liturgy of St. James dates back to the 5th century, but it reflects practices that were likely established in the earlier centuries of Christianity.
The Didache (approx. 70-100AD), also known as "The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," provides an early outline of Christian practices, including liturgical elements. It describes the Eucharist, emphasizing thanksgiving for the bread and wine as symbols of Christ’s body and blood. The liturgy involves communal prayers, the sharing of bread and wine, and the call for believers to confess their sins and live righteously before partaking.
An Example
This video shows an Anglo-Catholic Mass celebrated at our bishop’s church in California. Our Mass follows the same liturgy, with two key differences: we chant the epistle and gospel readings, and we use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible for readings. While the KJV is our standard for readings, it is not the only translation referenced in preaching.