XLIX. A Prayer at Dinner.
Thou art blessed, O Lord, who nourishest me from my youth, who givest food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that having always what is sufficient for us, we may abound to every good work, in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom1 glory, honour, and power be to Thee for ever. Amen.2
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One V. ms. reads, "with whom." ↩
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Comparing the Teaching with chapters xxv. and xxvi. of these Constitutions, it seems to me that the nature of the eucharistic (thanksgiving) prayers becomes apparent. They presuppose the formulas to be found in the eighth book of the Constitutions, and are such instructions as were imparted only to catechumens; the part peculiar to presbyters being withheld, of course, as esoteric mysteries, until further knowledge was canonically appropriate. See Elucidation IV. vol. vi. [287]p. 236; and in this volume, Elucidation I. [288]p. 382. The Bryennios ms. is cleared from nearly all difficulties by Dr. Riddle's lucid notes, when compared with corresponding passages in the Constitutions, or illustrated by such as are supplementary. Beginning [289]p. 479, infra. ↩
