The fraction found in both the Rite I and Rite II services in our 1979 Book of Common Prayer happens immediately following the Lord’s Prayer and before the invitation to and distribution of Communion. The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread and then says, “[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” The congregation then replies, “Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]” Now, this statement comes from Scripture, specifically 1 Corinthians 5:7. Well, actually it is a mistranslation of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7, which is found only in the King James Version. The specific word that is mistranslated is the Greek word etuthe, which means a sacrifice that was completed in the past. Therefore, in most English translations, 1 Corinthians 5:7 is translated, “Christ, our Passover has been or was sacrificed.”
Now, why would this mistranslation make its way into the 1979 Book of Common Prayer when this form and placement of the fraction was never in any Anglican Prayer Book prior?
Read it all (if you need to know more about Peet Dickson see there).
Well said. [blockquote]By moving the fraction and adding the mistranslated text, “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,†it could easily be mistaken for that old heretical claim that the priest is somehow repeating the sacrifice that Hebrews 10 makes clear was done once for all on Calvary 2000+ years ago. [/blockquote]
Actually, I have wondered about that. The 1979 book is to be approached with care and corrected as needed. Dean Dickinson refers to the eucharistic prayer from the 1928: “…who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered…” “Has been sacrificed for us” would be a much better usage.
I suppose, if I had time, I would go look at the ACNA text in development. I hope those in charge will look at this phrase and get it right.
#1 And in Roman Catholic teaching. It was put there for this purpose. I was involved in prayer book revision. The 1979 Prayer Book was intentionally more “Catholic” whether Roman or Anglican. Every service can now be a Eucharist. We eliminated the Trinity season. We instituted the peace. There is an order of penance. There are many examples.