Sancta sanctis

As early as the fourth century, eastern liturgies contained the Sancta sanctis, “the holy for the holy” or “holy things for holy people,” at a showing of the sacrament to the people immediately before the administration of communion. A typical response of the people was “One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.” This text, translated “The Gifts of God for the People of God,” entered the BCP at the 1979 revision. Its use is optional in Rite 1, but required in Rite 2 (BCP, p. 364). This acclamation may be followed by a sentence based on the Words of Administration of the Bread of the 1552 BCP, “Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving” (BCP, p. 365).