This anaphora is minimal compared with the longer and more ornate forms of the
Roman Canon, and the Anaphorae of the
Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, and the
Liturgy of St. James the Just; it is widely believed that these ancient liturgies are themselves either derived from, or closely related to, this liturgy. This liturgy, in its brevity, lacks a
Sanctus or
Trisagion; additionally, the
Epiclesis does not unequivocally affirm a
real change of the Eucharistic gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of
Jesus Christ. Finally, the text of the Anaphora assumes it is to be said by a
bishop; in the
Early Church each congregation was presided over by a bishop, whose duties included the normal celebration of the Eucharist; later, this function in most parishes was delegated to
presbyters and special
rubrics developed for services celebrated by a bishop, which came to be known in the East as Hierarchical Divine Liturgies, and in the Roman church, as the
Pontifical High Mass. In modern liturgies based on this anaphora, such as Eucharistic Prayer II of the
Roman Rite Mass, either a priest or a bishop might preside. ===
Sursum Corda===
The Bishop begins: The Lord be with you.
And all reply: And with thy spirit. The Bishop continues: Lift up your hearts.
Congregation: We lift them up unto the Lord. Bishop: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
Congregation: It is right and just. Thanksgiving The Bishop continues: We give thanks to you God, through your beloved son Jesus Christ, whom you sent to us in former times as Savior, Redeemer, and Messenger of your Will, who is your inseparable Word, through whom you made all, and in whom you were well-pleased, whom you sent from heaven into the womb of a virgin, who, being conceived within her, was made flesh, and appeared as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin. It is he who, fulfilling your will and acquiring for you a holy people, extended his hands in suffering, in order to liberate from sufferings those who believe in you. ===
Words of Institution=== Who, when he was delivered to voluntary suffering, in order to dissolve death, and break the chains of the devil, and tread down hell, and bring the just to the light, and set the limit, and manifest the resurrection, taking the bread, and giving thanks to you, said, "Take, eat, for this is my body which is broken for you." Likewise the chalice, saying, This is my blood which is shed for you. Whenever you do this, do this [in] memory of me. ===
Anamnesis and
Oblation=== Therefore, remembering his death and resurrection, we offer to you the bread and the chalice, giving thanks to you, who has made us worthy to stand before you and to serve as your priests. ===
Epiclesis=== And we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to the oblation of your Holy Church. In their gathering together, give to all those who partake of your holy mysteries the fullness of the Holy Spirit, toward the strengthening of the faith in truth, ===
Doxology=== that we may praise you and glorify you, through your son Jesus Christ, through whom to you be glory and honor, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit, in your Holy Church, now and always, [Amen]. ==References==