[Agrarian]

"I too find it very interesting although I'm not convinced that our Lord Jesus simply made up a new word. That would be like Him telling the disciples, "Give us this day our xpwbosbuess bread." "

Hardly. The word "epiousios" is not a random collection of Greek letters. It is grounded in Greek etymology, and the creation of new words from parts of other words in order to convey a particular concept is hardly unknown. It happens all the time in the LXX -- if one reads some of the earlier Western grammars of LXX Greek, one sees these scholars -- grounded in what they consider to be "proper" classical Greek -- groaning at and ridiculing the gross Hebraisms and novel word constructions.

The Apostles had Christ right in front of them to ask questions of him -- they wouldn't be scratching their heads for long. A difference, as we have pointed out many times on this thread, between Protestantism and Orthodoxy is that we believe that the understandings that the Apostles had from their time with Christ had staying power, and weren't lost with the death of St. Paul.

"I don't think you can accuse Protestants of this simple because they are not reading the subtle nuance that some say is there."

No, but I can point out that Protestants read their own deeper meanings into this and other passages in the Bible. The difference, again, is that Protestants do so while completely ignoring or approaching patristic writings with extreme skepticism -- picking a few things and rejecting most of the rest. While we Orthodox use our brains and the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we read the Scriptures, we do so in the context of standing fast, and holding the traditions which we have been taught, whether by word, or by epistle.

"...it simply begs the question why the disciples didn't dispense the Eucharist daily..."

Who says they didn't? In those days, the Eucharist appears to have been in the context of communal meals -- and most people eat daily. There is nothing that I can see indicating that it took place only 4 times a year, as it was in my Reformed background, or only once a year, as Zwingli's practice was. You have no more direct evidence from Scripture that it wasn't daily than we have clear evidence that it was -- and you perhaps have less.

"It also means the Church is not following through on a command they now believe to be there."

The Eastern Church never felt that there was a command for the Liturgy to be served daily, that I can tell, if St. Augustine was already complaining about it in the 4th century that they didn't.

St. Paul says "as oft as ye" eat and drink the Body and Blood... so there I don't see a command for all to receive daily anywhere in the Scriptures, personally. I would point out, again, that if one considers all churches and monasteries worldwide, many Orthodox priests are serving the Divine Liturgy and the Body and Blood of Christ are being partaken of by many -- not only daily, but probably around the clock... So if there is a command, the Church is keeping it.

"To make any claims other than "our daily bread" is presumptuous."

You'd better write those Reformed folks who put out "Daily Bread," then, and tell them that they need to stop their presumption and change the name of their Scriptural devotional booklet.

[HarleyD]

if one reads some of the earlier Western grammars of LXX Greek, one sees these scholars -- grounded in what they consider to be "proper" classical Greek

I have given you a reference (which refers to others) that would disagree with your interpretation on the Greek. While I'm not an expert on this there does seem to be significant room for debate and it is not as clear as you would like to indicate.

No, but I can point out that Protestants read their own deeper meanings into this and other passages in the Bible. The difference, again, is that Protestants do so while completely ignoring or approaching patristic writings with extreme skepticism -- picking a few things and rejecting most of the rest. While we Orthodox use our brains and the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Oh please. This is a little too much. I'm not reading ANYTHING into this verse except to say that it states "Give us this day our daily bread." I've believe I have stated several times now this is fitting with the context of Matthew 6 in which our Lord talks about just living for today.

I have already shown how the Orthodox and Catholics pick and choose their writings. Do you agree with Augustine about predestination or all unbaptized babies going to hell? We all pick and choose from the fathers what we agree with.

You have completely ignore those fathers who disagree with your interpretation. It is you who are reading far more into this passage than I. I suppose that is because you're guided by the Holy Spirit.

You have no more direct evidence from Scripture that it wasn't daily than we have clear evidence that it was -- and you perhaps have less.

If you want my "direct evidence" I would refer you to tradition. (Ain't that a switch?) There is no traditional evidence that communion was taken daily-not by the apostles or the early church fathers. You need to look back at tradition, my son.

St. Paul says "as oft as ye" eat and drink the Body and Blood... so there I don't see a command for all to receive daily anywhere in the Scriptures, personally.

First you try to tell me that the verse, "Give us this day our daily bread." means that we should consume the Eucharist daily, then you tell me the Eastern Church never felt this was necessary. Now you tell me you don't see a command to receive it daily. Make up your mind.

"that if one considers all churches and monasteries worldwide, many Orthodox priests are serving the Divine Liturgy and the Body and Blood of Christ are being partaken of by many -- not only daily, but probably around the clock..

So now communion can be taken in Bangkok and you don't have to worry about it here because someone else has taken it. This is fulfilling the commandment? Please. I might not use my brains or be guided by the Holy Spirit but I do have some common sense. ;O)

You'd better write those Reformed folks who put out "Daily Bread," then, and tell them that they need to stop their presumption

If the "Daily Bread" is Reformed I'll eat my hat. I can't find anything in the mission statement to indicate they are. Their writing sure would not indicate that they are.

That being said, you seem to think I'm equating "Give us this day our daily bread" with the word of God. I have heard some interpret this verse, this way. I do not. It is simply to remind us that our sustenance is based upon God's grace.

You're reading far more into this then is there. Next thing you'll be telling me is that the United States is the lost tribe of Manassah.