Since I believe that it is extremely critical for our understanding of our worship, I will be spending several weeks presenting thoughts and ideas about ANAMNESIS.

Anamnesis is a central notion in Catholic and Orthodox liturgy and, to some extent, Christian worship. Liturgical remembrance of God’s action on behalf of and in relationship with humankind in history is both a starting point for worship and flows from worship. As I presented in the last issue, this Greek word is used to convey ‘actualizing’ remembrance of the paschal mystery. Through the actions of the Liturgy, the past is brought into intimate contact with the present, eradicating time and making Christ’s saving actions present to us. It fulfills His promise to be present to all His followers until the end of time. While this word has had various meanings in Greek philosophy, the Christian usage of this term or its significance is found in 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. In consecutive verses, the Greek accusative noun form of ἀνάμνησις, ἀνάμνησιν is used within a command from St. Paul to the Corinthians concerning the bread that has become Christ’s body, and then again concerning the cup of wine transformed into “the new covenant in Christ’s blood” (v 25). Paul reinforces the twofold directive by placing it in the mouth of the Lord himself: “Do this in remembrance of me” (τουτο ποιειτε εἰς την ἐμην ἀνάμνησιν ) (vv 24-25). Without using the term anamnesis again, Paul then further explains Christ’s command to commemorate the Last Supper through a communal meal that is at once an act of anamnesis and of eschatological anticipation. Partakers in this meal are transformed by it as both Christ’s past gift of self and future second coming are brought into the present encounter with the Lord: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (v 26). This is why we articulate in this prayer Christ’s “second and glorious coming again.”

In 1 Corinthians 11:24-26, anamnesis is connected with covenant; the cup in particular is said to be “the new covenant in Christ’s blood.” This confluence of covenant and anamnesis is not a Christian novelty. Indeed, a strong connection between anamnesis and covenant exists in ancient Israelite tradition and is central to several Old Testament texts. (To be continued)