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Papers presented at the Fifteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 2007 (see also Studia Patristica 44, 45, 47, 48 and 49). The successive sets of Studia Patristica contain papers delivered at the International Conferences on Patristic Studies, which meet for a week once every four years in Oxford; they are held under the aegis of the Theology Faculty of the University. Members of these conferences come from all over the world and most offer papers. These range over the whole field, both East and West, from the second century to a section on the Nachleben of the Fathers. The majority are short papers dealing with some small and manageable point; they raise and sometimes resolve questions about the authenticity of documents, dates of events, and such like, and some unveil new texts. The smaller number of longer papers put such matters into context and indicate wider trends. The whole reflects the state of Patristic scholarship and demonstrates the vigour and popularity of the subject.

This study will be useful for those who study the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as those who are interested in the role of scriptural and philosophical resources in Christian theology. Fi

One of the difficulties for Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and other Christians is how to understand the Eucharist as sacrifice, offering, and oblation. A return to ancient Jewish and Christian sources has uncovered the category of the offering of firstfruits. This is found in a lesser degree among Second Temple Judaism and to a greater degree in early Christian literature beginning with the New Testament itself. This has brought renewed interest in understanding the Eucharist not only in the context of the Feast of Passover, but also in light of the Feast of Pentecost and the offering of firsfruits, and within the context of the Zebach tôdâ —that is, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. This has strong implications for a theological, liturgical, spiritual, and practical awakening in understanding the Eucharist as Sacrifice. In the Eucharist, the Church offers the firsfruits of creation, Christ, and also herself to the Father in the Holy Spirit. Each member is called to actively participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice through which they themselves become a Holy and Living sacrifice for the life of the world. This has implications for a renewed Eucharistic spirituality and worship, the New Evangelization, and new works of mercy.

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The letters, of which eighty-one have come down to us, written from c.249 until his death in 258 A.D., may be found translated in this volume.