Expert: Maria - 4/7/2009

Question
I am trying to understand the meaning of "Do this in memory of me" as in the Mass, and the Latin phrase "in memoriam" does not explain it exactly. Can you tell me what the Greek of biblical times (around 80c.e.) would be for this phrase?
Thanks

Answer
Hello,

in Luke 22:19 the Greek  sentence sounds as follows:

-“τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν” (in Ancient Greek alphabet)

-“toûto poieîte eis tèn emèn anámnesin” (in Latin alphabet we use still today).

This phrase means exactly :” Do this in memory of me”/” Do this in remembrance of me”.
See below for learning more.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that:

-τοῦτο / toûto ( direct object, accusative neuter) = this

-ποιεῖτε / poieîte (2nd.person plural, imperative) = do

-εἰς / eis (preposition which takes the accusative case) = in

-τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν / tèn  emèn  anámnesin (accusative) = literally, “into my commemoration” and then "in memory/ remembrance of me".

See Latin Vulgate where we read just “Hoc facite in meam commemorationem” (Do this into/ in my commemoration)