The Eucharist is either the celebration of the Christian sacrament commemorating Christ’s Last Supper, or the consecrated bread and wine of this sacrament. The term is used mainly in Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran traditions, and is derived from the Greek word ευχαριστω, eucharisto, meaning to give thanks. The form of the liturgical rite and the relevant theology vary from tradition to tradition. Many Protestant traditions speak rather of "Communion" or "Holy Communion", a term also widely used (though usually in a more limited sense) in Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox circles. See also The Lord's Supper. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life, teachings, death by crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. ... A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace. ... To consecrate an inaminate object is to dedicate it in a ritual to a special purpose, usually religious. ... Breads are a group of staple foods prepared by baking, steaming, or frying dough consisting minimally of flour and water. ... A glass of red wine This article is about the beverage. ... The term Anglican (from the Angles or English) describes those people and churches following the religious traditions developed by the established Church of England. ... Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... From the Greek word λειτουργια, which can be transliterated as leitourgia, meaning the work of the people, a liturgy comprises a prescribed religious ceremony, according to the traditions of a particular religion; it may refer to, or include, an elaborate formal ritual (such as the Catholic Mass), a daily activity... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The word communion can refer to the Eucharist, or the act of receiving the Eucharist; or a group of churches in full communion with each other, or the relationship of full communion between Christian religious denominations; or the Communion of Saints; or a 1976 film; see Communion (1976 movie); or... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ...

Historical roots of the Eucharist

Institution. The three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) as well as Saint Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians contain versions of the so-called "Words of Institution" spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper: "Take, eat, this is my body.... Take, drink, this is my blood.... Do this in remembrance of me." All subsequent celebration of the Eucharist is based on this injunction. The Synoptic Gospels is a term used by modern New Testament scholars for the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke of the New Testament in the Bible. ... Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Saint Paul the Apostle (c. ... Jesus, also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure in Christianity. ... This article relates the event related in the New Testament of the Bible, see The Last Supper (disambiguation) for other uses, including a list of famous works of art with this name. ...

See also: Historical roots of Catholic Eucharistic theology The historical roots of Catholic Eucharistic theology are the basis upon which a number of ecclesial communities, or churches, express their faith in the bread of life as given by Jesus, and are to be found in the Church Fathers, Scripture, and other early church writings and traditions. ...

Eucharistic theologies

The Eucharist has always been at the center of Christian worship, though theological interpretations vary. In general, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox traditions: see the Eucharist as the fulfillment of the Divine Economy (God's plan for the salvation of humanity from sin), a commemoration and making present of Jesus's Crucifixion on Calvary and his Resurrection, the means for Christians to unite with God and with each other, and the giving of thanks for all these things. Differences in Eucharistic theology tend to be related to differences in understanding of these areas. Salvation means being saved from suffering of some kind. ... Sin has always been a term most usually used in a religious context, and today describes any lack of conformity to the will of God; especially, any willful disregard for the norms revealed by God is a sin. ... Religious depictions of the crucifixion of Jesus typically show him supported by nails through the palms. ... Calvary (Golgotha) is the English-language name given to the hill outside Jerusalem on which Jesus was crucified according to Christian tradition. ... According to the New Testament, especially the Gospels, Jesus, also called Christ, had the power to lay his life down and to take it up again, being both human and God as well as the Promised Messiah. ...

Roman Catholic Eucharistic theology

The Eucharist is one of the seven Catholic sacraments that help the believer to advance toward union with God. It is the "source and summit of Christian life". [1] (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a3.htm) Belief that the Eucharist literally is the body and blood of Jesus, through a substantial change that occurs by the power of God, is rooted in the earliest Church writings. This "mystery of faith" [2]  (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_03091965_mysterium_en.html) is a critical element of Roman Catholic faith. See Mass (liturgy). Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ... The practice of the Roman Catholic Church includes seven sacraments. ... With regard to living things, a body is the integral physical material of an individual, and contrasts with soul, personality and behavior. ... Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are present in the blood and help carry oxygen to the rest of the cells in the body Blood is a circulating tissue composed of fluid plasma and cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). ... This article discusses the Mass as part of Christian liturgy, in particular the form it has taken in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church. ...

Eucharistic union with God is a primary component in the Catholic conception of prayer life, in which one progresses first along the purgative way, e.g., confessing sins before receiving communion, a tradition dating from the earliest period of the Church. Later, one passes along to the illuminative and unitive ways (see prayer). Nourished by the Eucharist, the Catholic faithful seek to live by Christ, as Christ lives by the Father. Prayer is an effort to communicate with (a) God(s), or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions. ...

Because the bread and wine are believed to be truly changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, Roman Catholics worship the Eucharistic species stored in the tabernacle and . genuflect as a sign of respect when entering its presence. The consecrated elements may be used to give a special blessing, called Eucharistic Benediction. For the Feast of Tabernacles, see Sukkot. ... Genuflection is an act of reverence consisting of falling onto (usually) one knee. ... Although Benediction can be any blessing, it usually refers to the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. ...

See Transubstantiation and historical roots of Catholic Eucharistic theology. According to Roman Catholic dogma, transubstantiation is the change of the substance of the Eucharistic elements — bread and wine — into the body and blood of Jesus (although they retain the physical accidents — i. ... The historical roots of Catholic Eucharistic theology are the basis upon which a number of ecclesial communities, or churches, express their faith in the bread of life as given by Jesus, and are to be found in the Church Fathers, Scripture, and other early church writings and traditions. ...

Eastern Orthodox Eucharistic theology

Since the Eucharist prefigures the ultimate union with God to which Orthodox Christians aspire (see theosis), it has a central role in Eastern Orthodox theology, which teaches, along with Roman Catholicism, that the Divine Liturgy mystically brings the congregation into the presence of both the original Last Supper and the angelic worship in Heaven. The worship is centered around the union of the earthly Liturgy with the heavenly Liturgy, of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross with the bloodless sacrifice on the altar, and of Christ's Body and Blood with the faithful, both individually and corporately, as the Body of Christ (a term which refers both to the Eucharist and the Church). ... In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic theology, theosis, meaning deification or divinization or, becoming gods, or even becoming God, is the call to man to become holy and seek union with God, beginning in this life and later consummated in the resurrection. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ...

The bread and wine, referred to as "gifts", are believed, as in the Roman Catholic tradition, to become literally the Body and Blood of Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Less theological emphasis is placed on identifying a moment of consecration, e.g., when the words of institution are spoken. Eastern Orthodox typically eschew Aristotelian philosophy, a philosophy tending to categorize and organize, and prefer a neo-Platonic philosophy, tending to reconcile distinctions. The language of "transubstantiation" is therefore thought too precise, and is avoided in favor of the language of "participation". St. Augustine, [3] (http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta02.htm) (d. 430) a Platonist Christian theologian, helped the Church to develop a unifying synthetic theology, [4] (http://www.crvp.org/book/Series01/I-9/chapter_i.htm) categorizing many theological concepts yet seeking also their harmonious interrelationship, and of communion stating that "[t]he entire Church observes the tradition" [5] (http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ125.HTM), i.e. participates in it, and that the "sacrifice ... is now offered to God by Christians throughout the whole world". The Holy Spirit, or the Holy Ghost, is the name used in the Bible referring to the processed Triune God. ... Aristotle (sculpture) Aristotle (Greek: Αριστοτέλης Aristotelēs) (384 BC – March 7, 322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher. ... Neoplatonism (also Neo-Platonism) is an ancient school of philosophy beginning in the 3rd century A.D. It was based on the teachings of Plato and Platonists; but it interpreted Plato in many new ways, such that Neoplatonism was quite different from what Plato taught, though not many Neoplatonists would... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... St. ... Events Saint Patrick reaches Ireland on his missionary expedition. ...

Some Eastern Orthodox theologians and scholars do accept the term "transubstantiation", e.g. based on terms found in the Orthodox Confession of 1640 [6] (http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/num31.htm) made by Peter Mogila (Mohyla), metropolitan of Kiev, to refute a Calvinist declaration by another Orthodox, Cyril Lucaris[7] (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/history4.aspx). Eastern Orthodox sources are divided on Mogila himself, some saying he was too influenced by Western sources (ibid.), others saying he was "ahead of his time" in promoting Church unity. [8] (http://www.unicorne.org/orthodoxy/articles/contributors/articles/mohyla.htm) Irrespective of terminology, owing to the fact that the various Eastern Orthodox Churches employ the form, matter, intent, and apostolic succession that is their heritage and the Catholic universal teaching, they consecrate the bread according to apostolic tradition and teaching. Different apostles went east than west, and one will encounter differences in respective liturgy; for example, the Eastern Orthodox generally stand throughout the Divine Liturgy while in the Western Rite the faithful alternate during Mass between sitting, kneeling, and standing. Some theological variety can be attributed simply to a lack of contact since the East-West Schism in 1054. Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Kiev (Ukrainian: ; Russian: ), also Kyiv, is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper river. ... Calvin may refer to the following: John Calvin, born Jean Calvin, founder of the Calvinist strain of Protestantism Calvin, North Dakota Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan Calvin and Hobbes This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The East-West Schism, known also as the Great Schism (though this latter term sometimes refers to the later Western Schism), was the event that divided Christianity into Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. ... Events Cardinal Humbertus, a representative of Pope Leo IX, and Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, decree each others excommunication. ...

Lutheran Eucharistic theology

Like Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans subscribe to the doctrine of the Eucharistic Real Presence, believing that the bread and wine truly are the body and blood of Jesus Christ. They do not endorse any particular view of how this takes place, and regard attempts to explain in terms of philosophical metaphysics how the Eucharist "works" as disrespectful of the Sacrament's miraculous and mysterious character. This refusal to endorse such explanatory doctrines, particularly transubstantiation, is sometimes interpreted by non-Lutherans as denial of the Real Presence. Non-Lutherans also sometimes describe the Lutheran doctrine as consubstantiation, and incorrect understanding of Lutheran teaching, since, like transubstantiation, consubstantiation is rejected by Lutherans as a misguided attempt to philosophically categorize a divine mystery. The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ... ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ... According to Roman Catholic dogma, transubstantiation is the change of the substance of the Eucharistic elements — bread and wine — into the body and blood of Jesus (although they retain the physical accidents — i. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ... Consubstantiation is a theory which (like the competing theory of transubstantiation, with which it is often contrasted) attempts to describe the nature of the Christian Eucharist in terms of philosophical metaphysics. ... According to Roman Catholic dogma, transubstantiation is the change of the substance of the Eucharistic elements — bread and wine — into the body and blood of Jesus (although they retain the physical accidents — i. ... Consubstantiation is a theory which (like the competing theory of transubstantiation, with which it is often contrasted) attempts to describe the nature of the Christian Eucharist in terms of philosophical metaphysics. ...

Lutherans often say that the body and blood of Christ are "in, with and under" the bread and wine, in an attempt to adequately express their understanding of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, as opposed to Transubstantiationist and Sacramentarian positions. According to Roman Catholic dogma, transubstantiation is the change of the substance of the Eucharistic elements — bread and wine — into the body and blood of Jesus (although they retain the physical accidents — i. ...

Anglican/Episcopal Eucharistic theology

The Thirty-Nine Articles, the Church of England's core of traditional doctrine, denies transubstantiation, but acknowledges that the Body and Blood of Christ are spiritually present in the elements. But, in practice, the Anglican Church has come to tolerate a wide range of views on the nature of the Eucharist, from transubstantiation to symbolic memorialism. Anglican author C.S. Lewis famously summed up the Anglican position: "The command, after all, was Take, eat: not Take, understand." The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... The Episcopal Church may refer to several members of the Anglican Communion, including: Episcopal Church in the United States of America Scottish Episcopal Church Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East Episcopal Church of Cuba idk of the Sudan Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church ... The Thirty-Nine Articles are the defining statements of Anglican doctrine. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Clive Staples Lewis (November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963), commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis, was an author and scholar. ...

Protestant Eucharistic theology

The various Protestant traditions hold differing views of the Eucharist. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ...

• Most Reformed do not teach that the bread and wine are transformed, but that those who receive the elements with faith are brought into a spiritually real form of fellowship with Jesus Christ.

• In Methodism, transubstantiation is rejected, as is a rigid memorialism. Methodists generally refer to the Eucharist as a means of grace whereby those who partake experience the presence and the grace of Christ. While Real Presence is generally affirmed, Methodists have preferred to allow the specific details of the sacrament as a mystery. Typically celebrated as a means of grace meant to aid in the process of sanctification and the journey to Christian Perfection, it is also celebrated recognizing that God's prevenient grace may bring a person to conversion or even salvation through the sacrament.

• Most other Protestant Churches see the Lord's Supper as a commemoration of the sacrifice of Jesus, in which the physical elements have a purely symbolic and memorial value, reminding partakers of his salvific work.

The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organisationally independent. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... The Means of Grace in Christian teaching are ways in which the grace of God operates to bless humankind. ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ... The Means of Grace in Christian teaching are ways in which the grace of God operates to bless humankind. ... Sanctification means literally to make holy or sacred (compare Latin sanctus holy). The concept of sanctification is widespread among religions, but is perhaps especially common among the various branches of the Christian religion. ... Christian Perfection is the belief that, after conversion but before death, a Christians soul may be cleansed from all stain of sin. ... John Wesley Prevenient Grace is a Christian theological concept embraced primarily by Arminian followers of John Wesley who are part of the Methodist movement. ... Religious conversion is the adoption of new religious beliefs that differ from the converts previous beliefs; in some cultures (e. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ...

Six contrasting views on the body and the blood

• Consubstantiation - the body and blood of Jesus Christ are substantially present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain. (This view is often erroneously attributed to the Lutheran Church.)
• Pious Silence - the bread and wine become the real Body and Blood of Christ in a way that is beyond human comprehension; the specific mechanisms and details of this are not possible to understand nor to explain; this view is held by the Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
• Spiritual presence - the body and blood of Jesus Christ are received in a spiritual manner by faith . This view is held by most Reformed Christians, such as Presbyterians.
• Suspension - the partaking of the bread and wine was not intended to be a perpetual ordinance, and/or was not to be taken as a religious rite or ceremony (also known as adeipnonism, meaning "no supper" or "no meal"); this is the view of Quakers, The Salvation Army, as well as the "ultra-dispensational" teaching of E. W. Bullinger, Cornelius R. Stam and others
• Symbolism - the bread and wine are symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and in partaking of the elements the believer commemorates the sacrificial death of Christ (also known as Zwinglianism or Zwinglian view after Ulrich Zwingli); this view is held by several Protestant denominations, including most Baptists.
• Transubstantiation – the substance (fundamental reality) of the body and blood of Jesus Christ replaces that of the bread and wine, but the accidents (physical traits, including chemical) of the bread and wine remain; this view is held by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... ... The term Oriental Orthodoxy refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three ecumenical councils of the undivided Church - the First Council of Nicaea, the First Council of Constantinople and the Council of Ephesus - and rejected the dogmatic definitions of the Council... The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organizationally independent. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ... The Salvation Army is a Christian denomination, a charity and a social services organization. ... Ethelbert William Bullinger (December 15, 1837 - June 6, 1913) was a Vicar of the Church of England and Biblical scholar. ... Huldrych (or Ulrich) Zwingli (January 1, 1484 – October 10, 1531) was the leader of the Swiss Reformation and founder of the Swiss Reformed Churches. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Baptist churches are part of a Christian movement often regarded as an Evangelical, Protestant denomination. ... Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ...

Forms of Eucharistic celebration

The Agape feast. The Eucharistic celebration of the early Christians, while centered on the ritual of the bread and wine, also included various other ritual elements, including elements of the Passover seder and of Mediterranean funerary banquets, termed Agape Feasts. Agape is one of the Greek words for love. Such Agapes were widespread, though not universal, in the early Christian world. The Agape Feast was a love feast celebrated in apostolic times on any day, in addition to the Eucharist. ... Passover, also known as Pesach or Pesah (פסח pesaḥ), is a Jewish holiday (lasting seven days in Israel and among some liberal Diaspora Jews, and eight days among other Diaspora Jews) that commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt; it is also observed by some Christians to... The Seder (pronounced say-der, meaning order in Hebrew) is a special Jewish ceremonial dinner revolving around the story of Exodus. ... Agapē. ...

This service apparently was a full meal, with each participant bringing their own food, with the meal eaten in a common room. Perhaps predictably enough, it could at times deteriorate into a mere occasion for eating and drinking, or for ostentatious displays by the wealthier members of the community, as was already observed by St. Paul (cf. 1 Cor 11:20-22 (http://php.ug.cs.usyd.edu.au/~jnot4610/bibref.php?book=1%20Cor&verse=11:20-22&src=63)). Because of such abuses, the Agape gradually fell into disfavor, and after being subjected to various regulations and restrictions, was definitively dropped by the Church between the 6th and 8th centuries.

Current celebration in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox worship

Liturgical setting. Celebration of the Eucharist is usually called the Mass in Latin-rite Roman Catholicism, the Divine Liturgy in Eastern Churches, including Eastern Rite Catholics, Holy Communion in the Anglican tradition. It usually takes place in a church. The ritual includes Scripture readings, hymns, etc, which may or may not be directly related to the Eucharist. They provide the preparation and context for the central Eucharistic Prayer or Anaphora. This part is sometimes referred to as the Liturgy of the Eucharist (in a narrower sense), distinguishing it from the Liturgy of the Word, which precedes it and sometimes also from the Communion Liturgy that follows. This article discusses the Mass as part of Christian liturgy, in particular the form it has taken in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church. ... Latin Rite, in the singular, usually refers to the sui juris particular Church of the Roman Catholic Church that developed, with its own rituals, customs and canon law, in the area of western Europe and northern Africa where Latin was for many centuries the language of education and culture. ... Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ... The term Eastern Rites may refer to the liturgical rites used by many ancient Christian Churches of Eastern Europe and the Middle East that, while being part of the Roman Catholic Church, are distinct from the Latin Rite or Western Church. ... The Eucharist is either the Christian sacrament of consecrated bread and wine or the ritual surrounding it. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... A church building is a building used in Christian worship. ... In rhetoric, anaphora (from the Greek anaphérō, «I repeat») is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of several consecutive sentences or verses to underline an image or a concept. ...

In the Catholic and Anglican traditions, a wedding service may be joined to celebration of the Eucharist, as may other sacraments. Nubian wedding with some international modern touches, near Aswan,Egypt A wedding is a civil or religious ceremony at which the beginning of a marriage is celebrated. ...

Participants. These include one or more priests, often assisted by deacons and other ministers, wearing the vestments of their rank. (Ethiopian tradition requires a minimum of three priests and two deacons.) Catholic and Anglican vestments are similar, if not identical. Eastern Churches vary more from both from the Western tradition and among themselves in both the appearance and symbolism of their vestments [9] (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=48). There is usually a congregation, but in Catholicism and Anglicanism, a priest may for a serious reason celebrate the Eucharist alone. Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Churches. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ...

Materials and objects. There is typically an altar (in Eastern Orthodoxy called the Holy Table), on which the bread and wine are set for consecration, usually in a chalice for the wine and a paten or diskos for the bread, although a plate or basket is sometimes used. Christian tradition requires that the wine be true wine made from grapes, and that the bread be made from wheat. Western and Armenian Churches, use unleavened bread, in imitation of the matzoh of a Passover seder. It is usually round in shape and is often referred to in the West as the "host" (from Latin "hostia", meaning "victim"). In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, red wine and small round loaves of leavened wheat bread (called Prosphora) are used; these are prepared before the Divine Liturgy in a separate ceremony called the Liturgy of Preparation. Picture of an altar from the Meyer Encyclopaedia An altar, (Hebrew mizbeah, from a word meaning to slay) is any structure on which sacrifices known as the korbanot as well as incense offerings are offered for religious purposes. ... Russian chalice A chalice (from Latin calix, cup) is a goblet, intended to hold just drink. ... Matza (also Matzoh, Matzah, Matzo, Hebrew מַצָּה maṣṣā), an unleavened bread, is the official food of Passover. ... Passover, also known as Pesach or Pesah (פסח pesaḥ), is a Jewish holiday (lasting seven days in Israel and among some liberal Diaspora Jews, and eight days among other Diaspora Jews) that commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt; it is also observed by some Christians to... The Seder (pronounced say-der, meaning order in Hebrew) is a special Jewish ceremonial dinner revolving around the story of Exodus. ...

Vessels used in the West include one or more of each of the following: a chalice for the wine, a paten for the main host or hosts, a ciborium for smaller hosts, all placed on a corporal, a white cloth spread on the altar to prevent particles of consecrated hosts from being scattered. In addition, cruets contain water and wine for placing in the chalice. The Roman Missal gives the text of the prayers and rubrics of the Mass. Russian chalice A chalice (from Latin calix, cup) is a goblet, intended to hold just drink. ... A Ciborium is a container, used in Roman Catholic rituals to store Holy Communion. ... The Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Roman rite of Mass. ...

Byzantine churches have, as well as the Holy Table (the main altar in the center of the Sanctuary), a Table of Oblation (Prothesis, Proskomedia) for preparing the bread and wine before the Divine Liturgy [10] (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=46). A special cloth called the Antimension (Greek: "instead of the Table"), containing a small relic, is also used. The bread is placed on a diskos, and the wine in a chalice. For part of the Liturgy, the diskos and chalice are covered with individual veils (that over the diskos being supported by a small frame called the Star) and with a veil (the Aer) large enough to cover both. A triangular-bladed knife called the Spear is used to cut the bread, and a small spoon is used to give the Eucharist to the faithful. There is also a small container of hot water (the Zeon) which is added to the chalice to symbolize the fervour of faith. A sanctuary is the consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ... In the Orthodox liturgical tradition, the antimension (Greek instead of the table) is one of the furnishings of the altar. ...

Ritual. The bread and wine are brought to the altar, often in a formal procession. After various prayers, depending on the particular tradition, there is usually a prayer that the bread and wine be changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. After the consecration, a term often used is Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Great care is taken not to mishandle or drop any element.

Communion is administered by the priest(s), assisted if necessary by extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, either directly in the communicant’s mouth or by placing the host in the hand. If Communion is given "under both kinds", the Western practice is either to dip the host in the consecrated wine before placing it in the mouth or for the communicant to drink directly from the chalice, the lip of which is wiped with a cloth after each person receives. Byzantine tradition is to use a spoon to give the consecrated wine and leavened bread together. Drinking from the chalice by means of a metal tube is also envisaged but very rarely used.

Protestant clergy sometimes offer bread from a basket or distribute individual cups and bread (sometimes prepackaged) for the congregation to consume simultaneously. Bread and a common cup may also be passed among the congregation, with each eating or drinking as they receive it. Individual cups used are collected afterwards, if reusable; but may not be collected if disposable.

In Eastern Orthodox practice, all consecrated materials are generally consumed by the Deacon at the end of the Liturgy, unless specially reserved for the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts during Lent. In Catholic and Anglican practice, consecrated hosts not consumed (but not consecrated wine) are reserved, usually in a tabernacle, for later use. A priest or deacon or a specially appointed lay person may administer them to the sick or housebound or to patients in hospital. Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ... In Western Christianity, Lent is the period preceding the Christian holy day of Easter. ... For the Feast of Tabernacles, see Sukkot. ...

The vessels used for the Eucharist are carefully cleansed at the end of the service, a process known as the ablutions. The water used for this purpose, if not drunk, is poured into a special basin called the sacrarium or piscina, directly connected to the ground, not to a drain, out of respect for any minute particles of the Eucharist that may remain. A Sacrarium is a special basin that is connected by a pipe directly to the ground. ...

Open and closed communion

Christian denominations differ in their understanding of whether they may receive the Eucharist together with those not in full communion with them. The ancient Churches such as the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox exclude it in normal circumstances, though they may allow exceptions, e.g. for non-members who share their faith in the reality of the Eucharist and are unable to have access to a minister of their own religion. Other Churches that teach the Real Presence of [[Christ] in the Sacrament – such as conservative Lutheran Churches like the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod – tend to do the same. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life, teachings, death by crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. ... Full communion is a kind of relationship between two or more organizations of Christians. ... Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ... ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) is a United States religious denomination belonging to the Lutheran tradition within Christianity. ...

Theological reasons sometimes given for this restriction, referred to, especially by those who take a different view, as closed communion include: Closed Communion is the practice of restricting the serving of the elements of communion (also called Eucharist, The Lords Supper) to those who are members of a particular church, denomination, or sect. ...

• Church membership is essentially defined as participation in its Eucharist

• participating in the sacraments of a Church is understood as public avowal of its teachings and of unity with its members, which is a falsehood on the part of non-members

• every effort must be made to ensure that the warning of 1 Corinthians 11:27 is heeded:: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord"

• it is wrong to expose the elements of the Eucharist to being treated as not having the sacred character that is theirs because of being the body and blood of Christ

The National Catholic Reporter[11] (http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/) of 27 May 2005 informed that Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was asked on 19 May 2005 whether Catholics should invite others to share in the Catholic Eucharist, so as to foster Christian unity. He responded that, at a minimum, to invite a non-Catholic to receive communion, "we must share the same faith in the Eucharist. At the end of the Eucharistic prayer, the community answers 'Amen', meaning, 'I agree.' Everyone has to ask, 'Can I really say 'Amen' to what is said and done according to Catholic understanding?' These restrictions are not external, disciplinary positions of the Church. They are an explication of this 'Amen'. Otherwise it would be dishonest to go to communion. I would say the same to many Catholics. Does your life correspond to what this Eucharist is? You have to reflect about this, do penance and conversion, and so on. We do not invite all Catholics, either. It's a very hard question of conscience." May 27 is the 147th day (148th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 218 days remaining. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... May 19 is the 139th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (140th in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ...

Citing the final canon of the Code of Canon Law, Cardinal Kasper also pointed out that the supreme law of the church is the salvation of souls. A person must be treated as an individual and not simply as an example of some general category. Thus under some circumstances, Catholic pastors are permitted to administer the sacraments, including the Eucharist, to non-Catholics. "This seems to me an appropriate response to the contemporary situation," he said. "It allows bishops to reach prudent pastoral decisions in particular instances. … Spiritual questions cannot be regulated by canon law alone. We need pastoral wisdom and the discernment of spirits."

Closed communion was the universal practice of the early Church. The famed apologist St. Justin Martyr, ca. A.D. 150, wrote: "No one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true...." For the first several hundred years of Church history, non-members were forbidden even to be present at the sacramental ritual; visitors and catechumens (those still undergoing instruction) were dismissed halfway through the liturgy, after the Bible readings and sermon but before the Eucharistic rite. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, used in the Byzantine Churches, still has a formula of dismissal of catechumens (not followed by any action) at this point. General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... Saint Justin Martyr (Justin the Martyr) (c. ... For other uses, see number 150. ... Catechumen (Lat. ... The Divine Liturgy is the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic eucharistic service. ...

Most Protestant Churches, including some Reformed, Evangelical, Methodist, and liberal Lutheran (such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) practice what is called open communion. Many (but not all) open-communion Churches adhere to a symbolic or spiritual understanding of the Eucharist, so that they have no fear of sacrilege against the literal body and blood of Christ, if someone receives inappropriately. Believing that the benefits of communion are a matter of the individual’s faith, they are unwilling to judge who may or may not be "worthy" to partake, and distribute the elements to all who present themselves, even if known not to be members. However, groups such as the Mennonites or Landmark Baptist Churches, which do not teach the Real Presence, practice closed communion as a symbol of exclusive membership and loyalty to the distinctive doctrines of their fellowship. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organizationally independent. ... Evangelical has several distinct meanings: In its original sense, it means belonging or related to the Gospel (Greek: euangelion - good news) of the New Testament. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations based on the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons. ... Though numerous churches and some organizations use the terms Landmark and Landmark Baptist in their name, there is no identifiable sub-group of Baptists known as the Landmark Baptist Church. ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ...

In Methodism, the real presence of Christ in the sacrament is affirmed, but left as a mystery, typically unexplained. Methodists hold, however, that the grace of God communicated through the Eucharist is powerful and sustaining as well as (potentially) converting; thus the sacrament is viewed as an evangelical sacrament. Because of this, they practise the "open table", in the hope that the communicant will meet Christ. The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. ...

The Churches of the Anglican Communion have mostly abandoned their former practice of closed communion. The rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer state that no one may take communion until confirmed, but present general practice admits all baptised Christians to communion. The Anglican Communion is a world-wide organisation of Anglican Churches. ... A rubric is a letter or section of text highlighted in red ink. ... The Book of Common Prayer is the prayer book of the Church of England and also the name for similar books used in other churches in the Anglican Communion. ... Roman Catholic views In the Roman Catholic church confirmation is one of the seven sacraments. ...

Resources

• Chemnitz, Martin. The Lord's Supper. J. A. O. Preus, trans. St. Louis: Concordia, 1979. (ISBN 057003275X)
• The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000. (ISBN 0800627407)
• Father Gabriel. Divine Intimacy. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1996 reprint ed.
• Felton, Gayle. This Holy Mystery. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2005. (ISBN 088177457X)
• Jurgens, William A. The Faith of the Early Fathers.
• McBride, Alfred, O.Praem. Celebrating the Mass. Our Sunday Visitor, 1999.
• The Saint Andrew Daily Missal. Reprint. St. Bonaventure Publications, Inc., 1999.
• Schmemann, Alexander. The Eucharist. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1997. (ISBN 0881410187)
• Stookey, L.H. Eucharist: Christ's Feast with the Church. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993 (ISBN 0687120179)
• Tissot, The Very Rev. J. The Interior Life. 1916, pp. 347-9.

Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586) was an eminent Lutheran theologian, born in Treuenbrietzen, Brandenburg on November 9, 1522, the day before Martin Luthers birthday in 1483. ... The Book of Concord was published in 1580 and is a compilation of Lutheran beliefs. ...

See also

• Eucharistic theologies contrasted

External Links

• Do This; Remember Me! (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/d/t/dtrememe.htm), a 21st century hymn text telling the Upper Room story
• The Duty of Constant Communion (http://gbgm-umc.org/Umhistory/Wesley/sermons/serm-101.stm) by John Wesley
• This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion (http://www.gbod.org/worship/thisholymystery/default.html)
• Do This!: The Eucharist as a Key to Pastoral Care & Church Renewal (http://www.geocities.com/pastorkeith/do_this.html)
• Eucharist (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05584a.htm) in Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/)
• The Ordinary of the Sacred Liturgy according to the Roman Rite, Missal of 1962 (http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/lmass/ord.htm)
• The Ordinary...according to the Roman Rite, Missal of 1962 (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/latinmass2.html) alternate source.
• Church Fathers (http://www.catholic.com/library/Real_Presence.asp), citations concerning the Holy Eucharist.
• Holy Eucharist (http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Orthodox-Faith/Worship/Holy-Eucharist.html) from The Orthodox Faith by Fr Thomas Hopko, online essay from the website of the Orthodox Church in America (http://www.oca.org).
• The Priest's Service Book (http://www.sspeterpaul.org/priest.html) Orthodox Divine Liturgy.
• The Lord's Supper (http://www.emersoncentral.com/lordsupper.htm) - by Ralph Waldo Emerson, rejecting the Lord's supper as a perpetual rite.