---
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: 140 of 148
url: https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/140/
cite: "Various Church Fathers, tr. A. Cleveland Coxe (ed.), Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, section 140. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/140/"
---

# 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.

## 140. The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, The Disciple of the Holy Peter · 8 of 9

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/140/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/church-fathers-lactantius-didache-apostolic-constitutions/140/#p-N

[¶0] The Priest makes the sign of the cross upon the people, and saith in a loud voice:—

[¶1] The Lord be with all.

[¶2] The Priest breaks the bread, and saith:—

[¶3] Praise ye God.

[¶4] The Priest divides it among those present, and saith:—

[¶5] The Lord will bless and help you through His great mercy.

[¶6] The Priest says:—

[¶7] Command.

[¶8] The Clergy say:—

[¶9] The Holy Spirit commands and sanctifies.

[¶10] The Priest.

[¶11] Lo, they are sanctified and consecrated.

[¶12] The Clergy.

[¶13] One holy Father, etc. (thrice).

[¶14] The Priest says:—

[¶15] The Lord be with all.

[¶16] The Clergy.

[¶17] And with thy spirit.

[¶18] The Priest says:—

[¶19] The Lord Himself hath blessed it.

[¶20] The Priest partakes, and prays.

[¶21] According to Thy loving-kindness, etc.

[¶22] Or,

[¶23] As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, etc.

[¶24] When he gives the bread to the clergy, he says:—

[¶25] The holy body.

[¶26] And when he gives the chalice, he says:—

[¶27] The precious blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour.

### IV

[¶29] After the service is completed, the Deacon says:—

[¶30] XXI. Stand for prayer.

[¶31] The Priest.

[¶32] Peace be to all.

[¶33] The Deacon.

[¶34] Pray.

[¶35] The Priest says the prayer of thanksgiving.

[¶36] O Sovereign Lord our God, we thank Thee that we have partaken of Thy holy, pure, immortal, and heavenly mysteries, which Thou hast given for our good, and for the sanctification and salvation of our souls and bodies. We pray and beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant in Thy good mercy, that by partaking of the holy body and precious blood of Thine only-begotten Son, we may have faith that is not ashamed, love that is unfeigned, fulness of holiness, power to eschew evil and keep Thy commandments, provision for eternal life, and an acceptable defence before the awful tribunal of Thy Christ:

[¶37] In a loud voice.

[¶38] Through whom and with whom be glory and power to Thee, with Thy all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit.

[¶39] The Priest then turns to the people, and says:—

[¶40] XXII. O mightiest King, co-eternal with the Father, who by Thy might hast vanquished hell and trodden death under foot, who hast bound the strong man, and by Thy miraculous power and the enlightening radiance of Thy unspeakable Godhead hast raised Adam from the tomb, send forth Thy invisible right hand, which is full of blessing, and bless us all.

[¶41] Pity us, O Lord, and strengthen us by Thy divine power.

[¶42] Take away from us the sinful and wicked influence of carnal desire.

[¶43] Let the light shine into our souls, and dispel the surrounding darkness of sin.

[¶44] Unite us to the all-blessed assembly that is well-pleasing unto Thee; for through Thee and with Thee, all praise, honour, power, adoration, and thanksgiving are due unto the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, henceforth, and for evermore.