Justin Martyr

Just Martyr writes, "And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons."

Here we find out the early church gathered together. They gathered together on Sundays. They read from the holy Scriptures. They read from the Prophets, maybe even from the Torah. This does not outline what they read or How they read these lessons.

But they did read the writings of the Holy Apostles. They alread recognized that it was the Holy Scriptures. They read these lessons and allowed for one among them to instruct them further. They would give prayers and thanksgiving to God. This writing from Justin Martyr would also outline for us Sunday Liturgy, but not the use of some Lectionary. Justin Martyr does help remind us that the people of God gather around the Word of God. Thank you.

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