The Anaphora of Mar Theodore
Pittappillil Francis
ProfessorAbstract
In this article, Fr. Francis Pittappillil critically analyses the structure, content and theology of the Qudasha (Anaphora) of Mar Theodore. According to the East Syrian tradition, the Second Qudasha is celebrated from the first Sunday of the period of Annunciation to the Palm Sunday. Although the theological thoughts of Mar Theodore were viewed with suspicion in the past, the opinion of modern theologians is that they are orthodox in theology and doctrine. The Second Order Qudasha is notable for its Semitic character, biblical usages, and developed theological ideas. Since this Qudasha contains typical East Syrian theological and liturgical elements, we can conclude that Qudasha of Mar Theodore is an East Syrian in origin and content. The special characteristic of this Qudasha is its developed theological reflection and structural organization. The Christological, ecclesiological, pneumatological and Eucharistic ideas in the Qudasha of Mar Theodore are very faithful to the teachings of the Sacred Scripture. Fr. Francis Pittappillil affirms that the Second Qudasha, being a theologically well developed Eucharistic prayer, is very helpful for the proclamation of the faith.
