Anaphora of Saint Gregory

The Liturgy of Saint Gregory the Theologian, also called the Anaphora of Saint Gregory, is an important prayer used by the Coptic Church. It is one of three special prayers, known as anaphoras, that the Coptic Church keeps and uses in its services. This prayer is named after Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, a wise and respected teacher from a group called the Cappadocian Fathers.

What makes this prayer special is that it speaks directly to Christ instead of to God the Father, which is how most other Eucharistic Prayers are usually done. This way of praying shows a unique way that people honor and talk to Christ during their worship.

Use

The Liturgy of Saint Gregory the Theologian is used by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and the Coptic Catholic Church on special days marked in the Coptic calendar. This special prayer part, called the anaphora, is just one piece of the whole worship service. It starts after some early prayers and ends before the breaking of bread, known as the Fraction. Along with these prayers, the Liturgy of Saint Gregory also has extra prayers that can replace those used in the Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil.

History

This special prayer comes from a tradition that started in a place called the West Syriac Rite. It was brought to Egypt after the 6th century by monks who lived in Wadi El Natrun. Some believe that Gregory of Nazianzus helped create the main part of this prayer. Over time, the prayer was changed to fit Egyptian customs. By the 12th century, it was allowed to be used in services by rules set by Patriarch Gabriel II.

The oldest books that have this prayer are from a time called the High Middle Ages. The oldest one is from the 10th century and is written in a language called Sahidic. It came from a book kept at the White Monastery. Later versions in another language, Bohairic, are from the 12th or 13th centuries and were found at the Monastery of Saint Macarius. There is also a version of this prayer in Byzantine Greek.

Structure of the anaphora

The Anaphora of Saint Gregory the Theologian follows the Antiochene structure. It starts with special prayers called the Pre-anaphoric rites, which include the Prayer of the Veil and the Prayer of Reconciliation.

The main part, called the Anaphora, begins with an Opening Dialogue. It then has a Preface that praises Christ and thanks him for creating everything. This leads into a Pre-Sanctus section that asks to join the heavenly Angelic worship and praises Christ with angels. The Sanctus is done together with the Benedictus. The Post-Sanctus part remembers important events from Salvation history, like the Original Sin, Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ.

The service continues with the Oblation, where the Eucharistic bread and wine are offered. This is followed by the Institution narrative, the Anamnesis remembering Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Second Coming, and the Epiclesis asking Christ to change the bread and wine and send the Holy Spirit to make them the Body and Blood of Christ. The service ends with Intercessions for the Church and everyone alive, including prayers for leaders like the pope and bishop. Finally, there is the Fraction with prayers to the Son.