Eucharist Pre-Constantine Era III

IV Ignatius of Antioch c. 35-107
Wrote 7 letters en route to martyrdom in ROME during reign of Trajan

Rome is undisputed center of Christianity, martyrdom of Peter & Paul. Alexandria, Antioch, and Constantinople were the other prominent communities.

Desire “bread of God, flesh of JC, seed of David and for drink His blood which is imperishable love”
- One Eucharist, one cup, one altar. Altar had a sacrificial meaning. (Philadelphians 4.1; also Ephesians 20.2).35 The repeated mention of an altar (θυσιαστήριον; Ephesians 5.2; Trallians 7.2; Magnesians 7.2) indicates a sacrificial understanding
- An event to be offered only in communion with the bishop and not a common meal. Note hierarchy already in place.
“Let that eucharist be considered valid that occurs under the bishop or the one to whom he entrusts it” (Smyrneans 8.1; also Ephesians 5.2-3; Trallians 7.2).”
Uncommon sacred meal, medicine brings immortality
Ignatius describes the Eucharist as “a medicine that brings immortality, an antidote that allows us not to die but to live at all times in Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 20); being “the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, which suffered on behalf of our sins” (Smyrneans 7.1; cf. John 6:53-69).
Unites believers by their partaking (Smyrneans 8.1; Ephesians 20.2)
Earthy language of altar, moderns unbloody sacrifice, places of great beauty, profound beauty
Ignatius’ time understood bloody sacrifice. Understood cost. Different view of altar stone. Brethren turned to food in coliseum.
Far removed from act, and less thankful.
IV Didache (100) "The teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles (or Nations) by the twelve apostles".
, esp Chap 9, 10, 14 and 1 Cor connection, these 3 chapters may be older than document itself
- sacred ritual and meal
- benediction before bread and wine
- self-examination (confession of sins)
- need for baptism
- while it may be coupled to a meal, it is NOT open to all
- ecclesial unity
- thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ
- Sacrificial character Chap 14

Naive concept not have formalized structure. Pagan world had rituals, Jewish religion highly ritualistic. Jesus & apostles had this education under Jewish patrimony. Foreign to Jewish or pagan mind to not have ritual.