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Anamnesis (from theAttic Greek wordἀνάμνησις,lit. 'reminiscence' or'memorial sacrifice')[1] is aliturgical statement inChristianity in which theChurch refers to thememorial character of theEucharist or to thePassion,Resurrection andAscension ofJesus. It has its origin in Jesus' words at theLast Supper, "Do this in memory of me" ("τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴνἀνάμνησιν"), (Luke 22:19,1 Corinthians 11:24-25).[2][3]
Anamnesis is also a key concept in the liturgical theology: in worship, Christians recall God's saving deeds.[4] This memorial aspect is not simply a passive process but one by which the Christian can actually enter into thePaschal mystery.[5]
Almost all Eucharistic prayers (oranaphoras) contain an anamnesis. This part of the anaphora is usually placed after theconsecration, i.e. after the account of theLast Supper in which are pronounced theWords of Institution spoken by Jesus. The Words of Institution are usually ended by the sentence "Do this in memory of me", which meaning is thus prepared and immediately taken up by the following anamnesis.
For example, in theDivine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, the anamnesis is:
Μεμνημένοι τοίνυν τῆς σωτηρίου ταύτης ἐντολῆς καὶ πάντων τῶν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν γεγενημένων, τοῦ Σταυροῦ, τοῦ τάφου, τῆς τριημέρου ἀναστάσεως, τῆς εἰς οὐρανοὺς ἀναβάσεως, τῆς ἐκ δεξιῶν καθέδρας, τῆς δευτέρας καὶ ἐνδόξου πάλιν παρουσίας, Τὰ σὰ ἐκ τῶν σῶν σοὶ προσφέρομεν κατὰ πάντα καὶ διὰ πάντα.
Remembering, therefore, this command of the Saviour and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father and the second, glorious coming, Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee, on behalf of all and for all.[6]
In the WesternRoman Canon, the wording of the anamnesis is:
Unde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, eiusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri tam beatae passionis, necnon et ab inferis resurrectionis, sed et in coelos gloriosae ascensionis: offerimus praeclarae maiestati tuae de tuis donis, ac datis hostiam puram, hostiam sanctam, hostiam immaculatam, Panem sanctum vitae aeternae, et Calicem salutis perpetuae.
Wherefore, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, and also His Resurrection from the dead and His glorious Ascension into heaven: do offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty of Thine own gifts, bestowed upon us, a pure Host, a holy Host, an unspotted Host, the holy Bread of eternal life, and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.
In theByzantine Rite, other services besides theDivine Liturgy will have an anamnesis, such as theGreat Sanctification of Waters atTheophany.An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church says of the anamnesis: "This memorial prayer of remembrance recalls for the worshiping community past events in their tradition of faith that are formative for their identity and self-understanding" and makes particular mention of its place in "the various eucharistic prayers".[7]
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