PAX VOBISCUM

( Lat. ) In English, “Peace be with you.” A form of salutation frequently made use of in the offices of the ancient Christian Church. First, It was usual for the bishop to salute the people, in this form, at his first entrance into the church. This is often mentioned by St. Chrysostom, who derives it from apostolical practice. Secondly, The reader began the reading of the le ons with this form. St. Cyprian plainly alludes to this, when, speaking of a new reader, whom he had ordained to that office, he says, A us pic at us est Pacem, dum dedicat lectionem ; he began to use the salutation, Peace be with you , when he first began to read. The third Council of Carthage took away this privilege from the readers, and gave it to the deacons, or other superior ministers of the church. Thirdly, In many places, the sermon was introduced with this form of salutation, and often ended with it. Fourthly, It was always used at the consecration of the eucharist: and, Lastly, At the dismi ion of the congregation. And, whenever it was said by the officiating minister, the people always answered, And with thy spirit . St. Chrysostom lays open the original intent and design of this practice. For he says, it was an ancient custom in the apostles’ days, when the rulers of the Church had the gift of inspiration, for the people to say to the preacher, Peace be with thy spirit ; acknowledging thereby that they were under the guidance and direction of the Spirit of God . In our own liturgy we use an equivalent salutation, namely. The Lord be with you ; to which the people answer, (as the primitive Christians did,) And with thy spirit . It occurs but twice in our Prayer Book, i. e. after the Creed at Morning and Evening Prayer. In the First Book of King Edward it followed the versicles, immediately preceding the collect for the day: besides being used more than once in other offices.