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THE LESSER EASTERN CHURCHES

so on (diptychs of the living), then those of the dead.[1] To each clause the people answer: "Amen." The diptychs of the dead contain a very long list of saints. The form is: "Let us pray and beseech God the Lord of all that this oblation be accepted for all the just and righteous fathers who were well-pleasing in his sight (let us pray). Also for the memorial of Adam and Abel. …" " And of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. …" There is first a list of saints of the Old Testament. Then: "And for the memorial of the Lady Mary, the Holy Virgin who bore Christ our Lord and our Saviour." Then follow St. John the Baptist, St. Peter, St. Paul, the evangelists and apostles; "Mâr Addai and Mâr Mari, the apostles who were the converters of this Eastern region"; St. Stephen; a long list of the old Persian Katholikoi, beginning with Papa, "our holy fathers the 208 bishops who were assembled in the city of Nicæa for the raising up of the true faith"; and a great number of East Syrian and Persian bishops, monks and martyrs. The people answer: "And our Lord make us all to partake with them in his grace and mercy for ever. Amen." After the Intercession comes the kiss of peace. The deacon warns the people to attend, the gifts are unveiled, and the anaphora begins. The celebrant blesses the people with the form: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ …" (2 Cor. xiii. 13).[2] Then: "Lift up your minds." R.: "Unto thee, O God of Abraham and Isaac and Israel, O glorious King." Priest: "The oblation is offered unto God the Lord of all." R.: "It is meet and just." The priest says a short silent prayer, and then as a Ghântâ:[3] "Worthy of praise from every mouth …" He mentions the "holy cherubim and spiritual seraphim," then (ḳânunâ): "shouting and praising without ceasing, and crying out to another, and saying." The choir sings: "Holy, holy, holy …" A short prayer follows, and leads to the "signing of the mysteries"; then follows the Epiklesis.

We have come to what is the amazing point in the Nestorian

  1. ↑ No actual diptychs (with names to be filled in at discretion) appear to be now used.
  2. ↑ This is the regular Antiochene beginning of the anaphora. VIII Apost. Const. xii. 4, etc.
  3. ↑ The Ghântâ ("inclination") is a prayer said in a low voice (μυστικῶς). The ending chanted aloud (ἐκφώνησις) is called ḳânunâ.
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