The Rule calls for a Centurion to meditate on Scripture and to pray. Early Christians prayed the Lord's Prayer thrice daily and the Creed twice, morning upon waking and evening before retiring. A term for periodic devotions in the Church was "Officium" meaning duty or responsibility and from which we get our word "Office" for devotions in prayer books.

Corporate Worship

Centurions should participate in corporate worship. The primary corporate worship service of the Church since the early days has been the Lord's Supper (Communion/Eucharist). The Scriptures and history tell us that the early Christians met in homes in small groups to hear the Scripture and break bread together on the first day of the week [Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7]. In some places the Eucharist was offered daily, and in the time Fabian (236-250), it was obligatory to approach the Holy Table three times a year, viz, at Christmas, Easter, and Pentacost

"The reconstructions of the earliest forms of the Eucharist present a domestic Eucharist not very different from the more solemn religious family gatherings which were characteristic of the Jewish liturgical calendar...rooted in meal-celebrations such as the Seder of the Jewish Passover." In families, the father would lead the gathering. In groups, the worship was led by one of the more experienced in the group. Consider the words of Jesus,

The early Christians followed this command he gave at his last meal when he instituted a new festival. They took the Jewish annual feast and transformed it into a weekly celebration of the resurrection on the Lord's Day... but still a Pascal Feast in that it celebrated a memorial of the New Passover, the blood of the New Covenant, and a new sacrificial lamb... the Lamb of God.

St. Justin Martyr recorded how it was before 115 AD

Assembly: On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

Scripture: The memoirs of the apostles (New Testament) and the writings of the prophets (Old Testament) are read, as much as time permits.

Sermon/Discussion: When the reader has finished, he who presides* over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things [*prohestos - means to stand in front].

Prayers: Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

Peace: When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss

Offering: Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

Thanksgiving: He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

AMEN: When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

Lord's Supper: When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.

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