The First Apology

But we, after we have washed the person who has been convinced and agreed to our teaching, bring them to the place where those called brethren are assembled, so that we may offer heartfelt prayers together for ourselves, for the baptized person, and for everyone else everywhere. We pray that we may be deemed worthy, having learned the truth, to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments by our works so that we may be saved with everlasting salvation. After finishing the prayers, we greet one another with a kiss. Then, bread and a cup of wine mixed with water are brought to the leader of the brethren. He takes them and gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and the Holy Ghost, offering thanks at length for our being deemed worthy to receive these things from His hands. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present express their agreement by saying "Amen." This word "Amen" corresponds to [so be it] in the Hebrew language. After the leader has given thanks and all the people have expressed their agreement, those called deacons by us give each person present a portion of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and a portion is also taken to those who are absent.