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Prosphora

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Prosser, Lorenzo D.

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(Gr. προσφορά , i.e. on oblation), one of the words by which some of the early ecclesiastical writers designate the Lord's Supper. The literal meaning of the word is a sacrificial offering, and especially the matter for a sacrifice: it has this signification in the Epistle to the Hebrews. In Christian antiquity it is used principally for the elements or "species" in the Lord's Supper. Later Greek writers use the word ἀναφορά as synonymous with προσφορά, and rather in a moral and spiritual than in a physical sense, and with allusion to the exhortation, "Lift up your hearts." The Latin word offertorium, which means a gift brought as an offering, was formerly applied to the consecrated bread. The words ἀναφορά and προσφορά were introduced by Justin Martyr, and brought into common use by Irenaeus. Irenmaus contends that the Eucharist should be regarded as a sacrifice; he did, however, distinguish it from the Mosaic sacrifices, and speaks of a symbolical presence of Christ in the elements. See Coleman, Primitive Christianity. p. 414; Riddle, Christian Antiquities, p. 546.