The Idea of Consecration of the Eucharist in Justin

Abstract

In chapter 66 of his First Apology, Justin writes that "the food thanked through the word of prayer which is from him" (δι' ∈υχη〓 λογου Του Παρ'αυΤου) is "the flesh and blood of Jesus." From some reason, it appears correct to think that this Greek phrase is related to the prayer of thanksgiving said by Jesus, which is referred to in the institution narrative quoted immediately after this sentence, and that the phrase is interpreted as meaning "the word of thanksgiving-prayer which is derived from Jesus." Considering Justin's understanding of the Eucharist in analogy to the incarnation of the Logos, however, it is also reasonable that λογο〓 in this phrase at the same time implies the personal Logos of God present and working in the event of the Eucharist. To understand the significance of this phrase correctly, it is necessary to know Justin's concept of the Logos: God's Logos will be present and effective through spoken or written words of God (or Christ). From all these, Justin's idea of the Eucharistic consecration will be clarified: through the "word" of prayer derived from Christ, the "Word" (Logos) is dynamically present in the event of the Eucharist; just as the Logos united himself with the flesh in incarnation, the Logos unites himself with the bread and cup in the Eucharist, and in this manner the flesh and blood of Christ become present in the Eucharist.