St. Serapion of Thmuis (died c. 360) | EAST

(Updated July 13, 2025)

This Quote Archive collects pertinent quotes from the Church Father, St. Serapion of Thmuis.

Next to each quote are the topic-based Quote Archives in which they are included.

This Quote Archive is being continuously updated as research continues.

Liturgy

St. Serapion, Bishop Serapion’s Prayerbook (c. 350-360)

• The Blessed Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist | Prayer 1B
• The Sacrament of Confirmation | Prayer 16
• The Sacrament of Last Rites | Prayer 17

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Prayer 1B: Oblation and Recital of the Institution¹

Lord of Hosts, fill also this sacrifice with thy power and thy participation: for to thee have we offered this living sacrifice [Rom. 12:1], this bloodless oblation [Eph. 5:2]. To thee we have offered this bread the likeness of the body of the only-begotten. This bread is the likeness of the holy body, because the Lord Jesus Christ in the night in which he was betrayed took bread and broke and gave to his disciples saying, “Take ye and eat, this is my body which is being broken for you for remission of sins.” Wherefore we also make the likeness of the death have offered the bread, and beseech thee through this sacrifice, be reconciled to all of us and be merciful, O God of truth… 62 | 63 We have offered also the cup, the likeness of the blood, because the Lord Jesus Christ, taking a cup after supper, said to his own disciples, “Take you, drink, this is the new covenant, which is my blood, which is being shed for you for remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Wherefore we have also offered the cup, presenting a likeness of the blood.

Prayer 16: Prayer in Regards to the Chrism With Which Those Who Have Been Baptized are Being Anointed²

God of Hosts, the helper of every soul that turns to thee and that cometh under the mighty hand of thy only-begotten, we invoke thee to work in this chrism a divine and heavenly energy through the divine and unseen powers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in order that they who have been baptized, and who are being anointed with it with the impress of the sign of the saving cross of the only-begotten, by which cross Satan and every opposing power was routed and triumphed over, they also, as being regenerated and renewed through the washing of regeneration, may become partakers of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and being made 76 | 77 secure by this seal, may continue steadfast and unmovable, unhurt and inviolate, free from harsh treatment and intrigue, in the franchise of the faith and full knowledge of the truth, awaiting to the end the heavenly hopes of life and eternal promises of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through whom to thee (is) the glory and the strength both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer 17: Prayer in Regard to Oil of the Sick, or Bread, or for Water³

We invoke thee who has all authority and power, the Savior of all men, father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and pray thee to send healing power of the only-begotten from heaven upon this oil, that it may become to those who are being anointed (with it), or are partaking of these thy creatures, for a throwing off of every 77 | 78 sickness and every infirmity [Matt. 4:23], for a charm against every demon, for a separation of every unclean spirit, for an expulsion of every evil spirit, for a driving out of all fever and ague and every infirmity, for good grace and remission of sins, for a medicine of life and salvation, for health and soundness of soul, body, spirit, for perfect strengthening.

Footnotes

1. St. Serapion of Thmuis, John Wordsworth, trans., Bishop Serapion’s Prayerbook: An Egyptian Sacramentary Dated Probably About AD 350-356 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1923), 62-63. ↩︎
2. St. Serapion of Thmuis, John Wordsworth, trans., Bishop Serapion’s Prayerbook: An Egyptian Sacramentary Dated Probably About AD 350-356 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1923), 76-77. ↩︎
3. St. Serapion of Thmuis, John Wordsworth, trans., Bishop Serapion’s Prayerbook: An Egyptian Sacramentary Dated Probably About AD 350-356 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1923), 77-78. ↩︎