---
title: "Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions"
author: "Various Church Fathers"
translator: "A. Cleveland Coxe (ed.)"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Church Fathers"
section: 136 of 148
url: https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/136/
cite: "Various Church Fathers, tr. A. Cleveland Coxe (ed.), Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, section 136. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/136/"
---

# Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions

*Various Church Fathers, tr. A. Cleveland Coxe (ed.)*

Lactantius, the Didache, the Apostolic Constitutions and early liturgies.

## 136. The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, The Disciple of the Holy Peter · 4 of 9

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/136/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/136/#p-N

[¶0] The Priest says the prayer of salutation.

[¶1] O Sovereign and Almighty Lord, look down from heaven on Thy Church, on all Thy people, and on all Thy flock. Save us all, Thy unworthy servants, the sheep of Thy fold. Give us Thy peace, Thy help, and Thy love, and send to us the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, that with a pure heart and a good conscience we may salute one another with an holy kiss, without hypocrisy, and with no hostile purpose, but guileless and pure in one spirit, in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one faith, even as we have been called in one hope of our calling, that we may all meet in the divine and boundless love, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom Thou art blessed.

[¶2] Then the Priest offers the incense, and says:—

[¶3] The incense is offered to Thy name. Let it ascend, we implore Thee, from the hands of Thy poor and sinful servants to Thy heavenly altar for a sweet-smelling savour, and the propitiation of all Thy people. For all glory, honour, adoration, and thanks are due unto Thee, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now, henceforth, and for evermore. Amen.

[¶4] After the Salutation, the Deacon in a loud voice says:—

[¶5] XII. Stand and make the offering duly.

[¶6] The Priest, making the sign of the cross over the disks and chalices, says in a loud voice (the Nicene Creed):—

[¶7] I believe in one God, etc.

[¶8] The Deacon.

[¶9] Stand for prayer.

[¶10] The Priest.

[¶11] Peace be to all.

[¶12] The Deacon.

[¶13] Pray for those who present the offering.

[¶14] The Priest says the prayer of the Oblation.

[¶15] O Sovereign Lord, Christ Jesus the Word, who art equal in power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the great high priest; the bread that came down from heaven, and saved our souls from ruin; who gavest Thyself, a spotless Lamb, for the life of the world.…

[¶16] We pray and beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy mercy, to let Thy presence rest upon this bread and these chalices on the all-holy table, while angels, archangels, and Thy holy priests stand round and minister for Thy glory and the renewing of our souls, through the grace, mercy, and love of Thine only-begotten Son, through whom and with whom be glory and power to Thee.

[¶17] And when the People say,

[¶18] And from the Holy Spirit was He made flesh;

[¶19] The Priest makes the sign of the cross, and says:—

[¶20] And was crucified for us.

[¶21] The Priest makes the sign of the cross again, and says:—

[¶22] And to the Holy Spirit.

### III

[¶24] XIII. In like manner also, as after the Creed, he makes the sign of the cross upon the People, and says aloud:—

[¶25] The Lord be with all.

[¶26] The People.

[¶27] And with thy spirit.

[¶28] The Priest.

[¶29] Let us lift up our hearts.

[¶30] The People.

[¶31] We lift them up to the Lord.

[¶32] The Priest.

[¶33] Let us give thanks to the Lord.

[¶34] The People.

[¶35] It is meet and right.

[¶36] The Priest begins the Anaphoral prayer.

[¶37] O Lord God, Sovereign and Almighty Father, truly it is meet and right, holy and becoming, and good for our souls, to praise, bless, and thank Thee; to make open confession to Thee by day and night with voice, lips, and heart without ceasing;

[¶38] To Thee who hast made the heaven, and all that is therein; the earth, and all that is therein; The sea, fountains, rivers, lakes, and all that is therein;

[¶39] To Thee who, after Thine own image and likeness, hast made man, upon whom Thou didst also bestow the joys of Paradise;

[¶40] And when he trespassed against Thee, Thou didst neither neglect nor forsake him, good Lord,

[¶41] But didst recall him by Thy law, instruct him by Thy prophets, restore and renew him by this awful, life-giving, and heavenly mystery.

[¶42] And all this Thou hast done by Thy Wisdom and the Light of truth, Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, Through whom, thanking Thee with Him and the Holy Spirit,

[¶43] We offer this reasonable and bloodless sacrifice, which all nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun, from the north and the south, present to Thee, O Lord; for great is Thy name among all peoples, and in all places are incense, sacrifice, and oblation offered to Thy holy name.

[¶44] XIV. We pray and beseech Thee, O lover of men, O good Lord, remember in Thy good mercy the Holy and only Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout the whole world, and all Thy people, and all the sheep of this fold. Vouchsafe to the hearts of all of us the peace of heaven, but grant us also the peace of this life.