Fr. Robert Matheus: The preanaphora in the Syriac LiturgiesIn this paper I want to compare the different Syriac liturgies on one particular point, namely the liturgy of theeucharistic gifts before their consecration.In the Syrian liturgy the preanaphorical part is subdivided in:1. The service of preparation of the offerings, also called the service of Melchisedech, since it symbolizes theoffering which this priest presented to God under the natural law. This offering was composed by bread andwine. The service also recalls the sheep of Abraham offered in sacrifice to save his son Isaac. At the end ofthis service, the celebrant says following prayer (Brightman, p.73), which reminds us of a similar prayer inthe Chaldean tradition:First-begotten of the heavenly Father, accept this First-begotten from the hands of the weak servant.2. The service of vestition of the celebrant and the offering of incense, called the service of Aaron. This oneseems to be borrowed from the Byzantine liturgy. It contains a long offertory prayer, called "prayer of divineeconomy". The celebrant, as in the Chaldean liturgy, takes the paten with one hand and the chalice with theother crossing them and commemorating the divine economy of redemption:Pure and spotless Lamb who offered to His Father an acceptable offering for the expiation and redemption of thewhole world: vouchsafe us to offer ourselves to Thee a living sacrifice well pleasing to Thee and like unto Thysacrifice which was for us, Christ our God for ever. Amen.And he [stretches forth his hands in the form of a cross, his right hand over his left and] takes the paten in his righthand and the chalice in his left crosswise [and lifts them up on high above the part where is the fixed tablitho] andsays the general prayer on this wise:The memorial of our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and of all His saving dispensation on ourbehalf: to wit the message of the watcher, and His glorious conception and His birth in the flesh and ...