The nature of the Eucharist: (3) the pattern: charter story and ritual

In 1933 appeared a group of essays edited by the late Professor S. H. Hooke and entitled Myth and Ritual (Oxford University Press). Though it has never been reprinted, it was an influential book. One direction in which it gave an important stimulus to further study can be inferred from the title of its successor, also edited by S. H. Hooke, Myth, Ritual and Kingship (Oxford University Press, 1958).

Though the book, Myth and Ritual, was so influential, it is interesting to note that its influence seems to have been least in the subject indicated by its title. This is true not merely of Myth and Ritual itself, but also of a whole series of studies carried out under its inspiration.

S. H. Hooke himself in the first essay in Myth and Ritual, ‘The Myth and Ritual Pattern of the Ancient Middle East’, introduced the theme which gave the book its title. This theme is briefly that in the Ancient Middle East there was a number of liturgical observances which had a common pattern consisting of two parts.

After some introductory matter, S. H. Hooke introduced these two parts or elements as follows: