The Eucharist
The word 'Eucharist' is from the Greek word 'eucharistia' - 'thanksgiving'. The Eucharist is the principal form of worship in many Christian churches. It is called Communion, or Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Breaking of Bread and the Mass.
The earliest reference to the Eucharist is in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (1Corinthians 11:23-24) where he attributes its institution to the actions and words of Jesus at the Last Supper. There, just before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus shared a last meal with his twelve disciples. At that meal he identified the disciple who would betray him.
Jesus asked his disciples to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of him. He is in some sense then present with them.
Beliefs about the Eucharist
One of the major differences between Christians has been, and continues to be, in what sense Christ is 'present' in the Eucharist:
- Orthodox churches and the Roman Catholic Church hold that Christ has a 'real presence' in the bread and wine and that in some mysterious way the bread and wine, while continuing to look and taste like bread and wine, are truly Christ's body and blood.
- The Protestant traditions, generally, regard the service as a memorial meal where Christ is spiritually present but there is no effective change in the bread and wine.
- The Anglican tradition, as is often the case, moves between these two polarities depending upon the tradition of the parish and the parish priest. In this sense Christ has a 'real presence' in the Eucharist but the bread and wine are not 'transformed'.
Roman Catholics use the word 'Mass' to describe the Eucharist and there are masses most days in most Roman Catholic churches. The word 'Mass' probably derives from the last Latin words of the Mass: 'Ite, missa est.' - 'Go, you are dismissed.'
What happens at the Eucharist
The bread and wine is received in different ways in different churches. It may be distributed at the altar rail, where people kneel or stand, from a tray and cup or cups passed around the congregation.
- In the Orthodox churches, communion is given with a long spoon containing the bread sprinkled with wine. Some Protestant churches use grape juice instead of wine.
- In the Roman Catholic church, from the Middle Ages until the mid 20th century, only the bread was offered to the congregation and this tradition still continues in many Roman Catholic churches.
Anglicans and Roman Catholics usually share in the Mass/Eucharist once a week. The Protestant churches tend to celebrate once a month or less, and the Orthodox Churches celebrate even less than that - perhaps several times each year.
More Information
RE:Quest - Do What? - Communion– Discusses issues
concerning the Eucharist.
http://www.request.org.uk/main/dowhat/communion/communion01.htm