addition was made to our store of early liturgical documents by the publication of the Sacramentary of Bishop Serapion, which dates from 350 A.D. The work consists of thirty prayers such as a bishop would be likely to use.[1] Of these the first six and the last twelve have to do with the celebration of the Eucharist; the remainder relate to Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, and Burial.
'Life is a remarkable note of the collection,' and it is life in the fullest sense of the word. A few quotations will indicate this, and will serve to strengthen the impression we have already sought to convey as to the content of the blessing to be expected in the Eucharist. In the opening Offertory prayer we find the words, 'We beseech Thee, make us living men.' At the invocation of the Word upon the elements, 'Make all who communicate to receive a medicine of life for the healing of any sickness.' In 'the prayer for those who have suffered,' 'Grant health and soundness, and cheerfulness and all advancement of soul and body.' And in the final Benediction, 'Let the communion of the Body and
- ↑ A translation, with notes, has been edited by the Bishop of Salisbury in a small volume issued by the S.P.C.K. (Early Church Classics). The Greek text will be found in an article by the Rev. F. E. Brightman, Journal of Theological Studies, October 1899.
