Holy Qurbana of Addai and Mari
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The Holy Qurbana of Addai and Mari belongs to the East Syrian liturgical family and is in regular use in the Church of the East and the Chaldean Church. Saint Addai (disciple of Saint Thomas the Apostle) and Saint Mari (a disciple of Saint Addai) are credited with having written it. The Holy Qurbana of Addai and Mari is one of the oldest Eucharistic prayers in the Catholic Church.
The Eucharistic Liturgy has three forms: the most solemn form known as the Raza, the solemn and the simple form.
One of the special features of the Eucharist Prayer is the presence of four long prayers known as the Gehantha, which are, according to many Eucharistic scholars, the closest forms of prayer to the Jewish Prayers over the meals.
[edit] Roman Catholic Concerns
In its pure form, the anaphora does not include the Words of Institution. This has raised ecumenical concerns, since the Roman Catholic Church has traditionally considered the Words of Institution to be essential to the validity of the sacred mystery. Nevertheless, the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concluded on January 17, 2001 that the Anaphora of Addai and Mari can be considered valid. Three reasons were given for this. First, the Anaphora of Addai and Mari dates back to the early Church. Secondly, the Church of the East otherwise has preserved the orthodox faith in regard to the Eucharist and Holy Orders. And finally, though the Words of Institution do not appear in a coherent way, they are present in a dispersed way through prayers of praise, thanksgiving and intercession. What this last point would seem to mean is that the Divine Liturgy of Addai and Mari is a reenactment of Christ's Mystical Supper, even without the Words of Institution.
Though this decision by the Roman Catholic Church is not irreformable and is not binding on Catholics, its ecumenical importance should not be underestimated. Because of this decision, it is thought by some that there are some circumstances in which the Church can accept an Epiclesis in place of the Words of Institution. Others maintain, however, that this decision affirms that the Words of Institution is present in an implicit way, still regarding the Words of Institution as the essential form of the Sacrament.
Chaldean Catholics, who use this rite, traditionally have inserted the Words of Institution into the anaphora; they are now beginning to cease adding the interpolation.
Some Traditional Catholic groups have denounced this decision as heretical. [citation needed] They argue that it completely overthrows the sacramental theology ratified by the Council of Trent. [citation needed]
