KEEPING THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER SIMPLE

The words of Eucharistic Prayer II are familiar. This short prayer is often prayed on Sundays. "Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness..." The words for this modern prayer are based on the third century text of the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus. The ancient prayer was a text composed for, and used at episcopal ordination. The prayer text is simple: (1) opening dialogue between bishop and the Assembly, (2) thanksgiving for creation and redemption, (3) the last supper narrative (institution narrative) and the memorial prayer of offering (anamnesis), (4) calling down the Spirit (the epiclesis) and the prayer of praise (the doxology).

As you read the original text, notice how familiar the words are.

Here is the text of Hippolytus from c. 325 C.E.

(1) Opening dialogue:

"The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Up with your hearts. We have them with the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord. It is fitting and right.

(2) Thanksgiving for creation and redemption:

"We give you thanks, O God, through your beloved child Jesus Christ, whom in the last times you sent to us as a savior and redeemer and angel of your will; who is your inseparable Word, through whom you made all things, and in whom you were well pleased. You sent him from heaven into a virgin's womb; and conceived in the womb, he was made flesh and was manifested as your Son, being born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin. Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people, he stretched out his hands when he should suffer, that he might release from suffering those who have believed in you.

(3) The Institution/Supper Narrative:

"When he was betrayed to voluntary suffering that he might destroy death, and break the bonds of the devil, and tread down hell, and shine upon the righteous, and fix a term, and manifest the resurrection, he took bread and gave you thanks, saying, 'Take, eat; this is my body, which shall be broken for you.' Likewise also the cup, saying, 'This is my blood, which is shed for you; when you do this, you make memorial of me.'

The Memorial Anamnesis Prayer of Offering:

"Remembering therefore his death and resurrection, we offer to you the bread and the cup, giving you thanks because you have held us worthy to stand before you and minister to you.

(4) The Epiclesis/Calling down the Spirit and the Final Praise/Doxology:

"And we ask that you would send your Holy spirit upon the offering of your holy Church; that, gathering her into one, you would grant to all who receive the holy things (to receive) for the fullness of the Holy Spirit for the strengthening of faith in truth; that we may praise and glorify you through your child Jesus Christ; through whom be glory and honor to you, to the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and to the ages of ages. Amen."

This text became the basis for Eucharistic Prayer II. Modern liturgical texts are steeped in the tradition of eucharistic praying. They also expand and develop the tradition of public prayer.