AGAPE is the Greek word for Divine, unconditional love. It might be thought of as a religious meal shared as a sign of love & fellowship. It was used by early Christians to refer to the special love for God and God's love for man, as well as the self-sacrificing love they believed all should have for each other. It is a prominent term in the works of C.S. Lewis.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Hippolytus of Tome (second century) use Eucharist and Agape as synonyms (1 Corinthians 11). In Jude 12, the love feasts are understood to be the combined Agape - Eucharist, in which ancient Christians gave each other the kiss of peace as a token of Christian brotherhood.
Today the term refers to Easter Sunday Vespers (Second Resurrection Service). During this service the Gospel reading relating to the first appearance of the Resurrected Christ to His disciples is read in many languages besides Greek, in order to emphasize the universality of salvation in the Resurrected Christ and its message to all people and nations.
Agape may be defined as Christian love - "charity" (1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 8). This attitude attracted the attention of pagans in the early Christian communities - as in - 'look how they love one another".
Jesus Christ himself commanded his followers to love one another (see John 13: 34 - 35 & Matthew 22: 37 - 41). He commanded us to love our enemies as we would love ourselves. To turn the other cheek when we are struck and to walk two miles with one who forces us to walk one mile with him.
These are tough rules to follow. At St. John's Presbyterian Church, our AGAPE ministry greets all who come to our doors with Christian love and acceptance. We strive to welcome all whom we see, brother, sister, friend or stranger, with the unconditional love that our savior Jesus Christ told us we must use.
Please come and share yourself with us. All who seek salvation through Jesus Christ are welcome. And those who do not seek salvation will be greeted with the same spirit of God's love as those who do.