The Development of the Epiclesis: Alexandrian or Syrian?

Author

Nathan Peter Chase, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's UniversityFollow

Date of Award

9-9-2013

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

Kimberly Belcher

Subject Categories

History of Christianity | Liturgy and Worship

Abstract

This paper explores the origins and development of the epiclesis in Eucharistic prayers. It begins by looking at the pneumatological developments around the time of the First Council of Nicaea and the First Council of Constantinople in the 4th century. It then turns to the work of influential scholars in the field to try and present a status quaestionis on the epiclesis which seeks to answer the questions: 1) How did it develop?, 2) Where did it develop?, and 3) Why did it develop? The paper ends by affirming the uncertainty of scholarship on the answers to these questions, while at the same time advocating for probable Syrian leadership in the development of the epiclesis.

Recommended Citation

Chase, Nathan Peter, "The Development of the Epiclesis: Alexandrian or Syrian?" (2013). School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses. 1377.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/1377