Amen

Amen, a Hebrew word of asseveration, equivalent to 'Yea,' 'Truly,' which has been commonly adopted in the forms of Christian worship. In Jewish synagogues, the Amen is pronounced by the congregation at the conclusion of the benediction given at parting. Among the early Christians, the prayer offered by the presbyter was concluded by the word Amen, uttered by the congregation (cf. 1 Cor. xiv. 16). Justin Martyr is the earliest of the fathers who alludes to the use of the response. In speaking of the sacrament of the Supper, he says that, at the close of the benediction and prayer, all the assembly respond 'Amen.' According to Tertullian, none but the faithful were permitted to join in the response. Up to the 6th century, it was the custom for those present at the Lord's Supper to utter a loud 'Amen' at the reception of the bread and wine, and to join in shouting 'Amen' at the close of the consecration. The same custom was observed at baptism, where the sponsors and witnesses responded vehemently. In the Greek Church, this word was pronounced after the name of each person of the Trinity; and at the close of the baptismal formula, the people responded. At the conclusion of prayer, it signifies (according to the English Church Catechism) So be it; after the repetition of the Creed, So is it. The Roman Catholic version of the New Testament (Rheims, 1582) substitutes Amen for the 'verily' of our Authorised Version, it being the word used in the original Greek. The Mohammedans also use this word in their service.