Why the words of Epiclesis are pronounced
after the consecration of bread and wine. Are the words of Epiclesis an
element of consecration? What's the moment when the bread and the wine are the
Body and Blood of Christ? Before or after Epiclesis? If the priest doesn't
pronounce the words of Epiclesis, there is no consecration?
The Bishop Answers - Dear Friend: The Greek word for Sacraments in our
Eastern tradition is "Mysteria", i.e. "Mysteries". A
sacrament is a mysterious action which makes God's beneficial presence felt and
real. We should not bind God to a single word or gesture, as through a magic
formula. The whole action constitutes the "Mystery." In the Roman
Canon (which we call "Anaphore") the Epiclesis is said before the
words of "Consecration." In the Eastern tradition, we have the
Epiclesis after the same words which we call "words of Institution."
In our belief, the action is not complete until God the Father "in the good
pleasure of (His) bounty, makes (His) Holy Spirit come down upon us and upon the
present gifts here offered and bless and sanctify them and reveal this
bread to be truly the precious body of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ,
etc." (Liturgy of St. Basil) There is no magic moment or formula or word or
syllable, which effects the presence of God and makes it complete; but the whole
action makes God's presence effective and real.