Justin Martyr and the Christian Assembly on Sunday

Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist writing in the mid-2nd century, provides valuable insight into the practices of the early Church. His writings offer a glimpse into the weekly worship and communal life of Christians during a pivotal period in the faith's development. Let's examine his description of the Christian assembly on Sunday, drawing from his First Apology.

The Sunday Gathering: A Time for Scripture and Instruction

Justin Martyr describes the Sunday assembly as a gathering of Christians, both from cities and the countryside, in one place. The primary activities centered around the reading of scripture and instruction.

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. (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

This passage highlights the importance of both the "memoirs of the apostles" (likely referring to the Gospels and other New Testament writings) and the "writings of the prophets" (the Old Testament) in the early Christian service. Following the scripture readings, the "president" (likely the leader of the community) would offer verbal instruction and exhortation, encouraging the congregation to emulate the virtues and teachings found in the scriptures.

Prayer, the Eucharist, and Charitable Giving

The assembly also included prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by the distribution of the elements to those present and the sending of a portion to those who were absent.

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. (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

Justin Martyr notes that the president offered prayers and thanksgivings "according to his ability," suggesting a degree of flexibility and spontaneity in the liturgical practice. The congregation affirmed these prayers by saying "Amen." Deacons played a crucial role in distributing the Eucharist, even ensuring that those who could not attend the assembly still received a portion.

Furthermore, the Sunday gathering was a time for charitable giving, demonstrating the strong sense of community and mutual support among early Christians.

And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

The collected offerings were used to support the vulnerable members of the community, including orphans, widows, the sick, those in prison, and strangers. This emphasis on practical care underscores the holistic nature of early Christian worship, which extended beyond liturgical acts to encompass acts of compassion and social responsibility.

The Significance of Sunday

Justin Martyr provides two primary reasons for holding the Christian assembly on Sunday:

1. It was the first day of creation, when God transformed darkness and matter into the world.
2. It was the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead.

But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

By gathering on Sunday, Christians commemorated both the creation of the world and the resurrection of Christ, linking these two foundational events in their worship and theological understanding.

Conclusion

Justin Martyr's account offers a valuable window into the weekly worship practices of early Christians. The Sunday assembly was a time for scripture reading, instruction, prayer, the Eucharist, and charitable giving. By gathering on Sunday, Christians celebrated both the creation of the world and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, reinforcing their faith and strengthening their community bonds. His description highlights the integrated nature of worship, teaching, and practical care within the early Christian experience.