Vigils Reading

A reading from “The First Apology in Defense of the Christians” by

ST JUSTIN MARTYR

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None may share the Eucharist with us unless they believe that what we

teach is true; unless they are washed in the regenerating waters of Baptism for

the remission of their sins; and unless they live in accordance with the

principles given us by Christ.

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as ordinary food and

drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Saviour became a man of

flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh

and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh and blood of the

incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the prayer of

thanksgiving.

The Apostles in their recollections, which are called Gospels, handed

down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread,

gave thanks and said: Do this in memory of me, this is my body. In the same

way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: This is my blood, and he

distributed it only to them. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one

another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always

united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through his

Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they

live in the city or in the outlying districts. The recollections of the Apostles or the

writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits. When the reader has

finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us, urging everyone to imitate

the examples of virtue we have heard about in the readings. Then we all stand up

together and pray.

On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought

forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability,

and the people give their assent by saying, ‘Amen’. The Eucharist is distributed,

everyone present communicates, and the Deacons take it to those who are

absent.

The wealthy if they wish may make a contribution, and they themselves

decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who

uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress,

whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes

care of all who are in need.

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the

week the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the

world, and because on that same day our Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the

dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his Apostles

and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your

consideration.