Academic Reading
3/24/26
Jasper, R.C.D. & Cuming, G.J. (1990). "Ch. 25: Ulrich Zwingli: a. Epicheiresis 1523 and b. Action oder Brauch des Nachtmals 1525." (pp. 181-188). In Prayers of the Eucharist: Early and Reformed. 3rd Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press. (Personal Library)
Zwingli's Epicheiresis (An Attack upon the Canon of the Mass) is a revision of the Roman rite. Jasper and Cuming consider it relatively conservative in nature (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 181). The lectionary is simplified and there are no propers particular to Saints' Days or the Offertory.
It is notable that in the eucharistic prayers Zwingli treats God's Word as the spiritual food, and rejects Christ's presence in the bread and wine. "The eucharist was simply a memorial of Christ's death" (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 181). Christ's work on the cross serves as an example.
"This rite satisfied no one - neither conservatives nor radicals" (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 182). When radicals brought the matter to the Zurich Council in 1525, Zwingli produced a Latin version of his German Action oder Brauch des Nachtmals. This was a more revolutionary liturgy in which "the Mass" became "The Lord's Supper" and was celebrated only four times a year, sitting at a table. In Jasper and Cuming's view, it was in essence a memorial meal but lacked the idea of communion previously expressed.
After a brief bibliography (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 182-183), Jasper and Cuming provide an English version of the eucharistic portions of Zwingli's works.
3/24/26
Jasper, R.C.D. & Cuming, G.J. (1990). "Ch. 25: Ulrich Zwingli: a. Epicheiresis 1523 and b. Action oder Brauch des Nachtmals 1525." (pp. 181-188). In Prayers of the Eucharist: Early and Reformed. 3rd Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press. (Personal Library)
Zwingli's Epicheiresis (An Attack upon the Canon of the Mass) is a revision of the Roman rite. Jasper and Cuming consider it relatively conservative in nature (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 181). The lectionary is simplified and there are no propers particular to Saints' Days or the Offertory.
It is notable that in the eucharistic prayers Zwingli treats God's Word as the spiritual food, and rejects Christ's presence in the bread and wine. "The eucharist was simply a memorial of Christ's death" (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 181). Christ's work on the cross serves as an example.
"This rite satisfied no one - neither conservatives nor radicals" (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 182). When radicals brought the matter to the Zurich Council in 1525, Zwingli produced a Latin version of his German Action oder Brauch des Nachtmals. This was a more revolutionary liturgy in which "the Mass" became "The Lord's Supper" and was celebrated only four times a year, sitting at a table. In Jasper and Cuming's view, it was in essence a memorial meal but lacked the idea of communion previously expressed.
After a brief bibliography (Jasper & Cuming 1990, p. 182-183), Jasper and Cuming provide an English version of the eucharistic portions of Zwingli's works.
RSS Feed