The Eucharist

Question 1

What does Eucharist mean?

Answer 1

Eucharist is a Greek word and it means “Thanksgiving”

Question 2

What is commemoration?

Answer 2

The belief that the Eucharist is simply a remembrance of the Last Supper

Question 3

The Eucharist in most Nonconformist Protestant Churches

Answer 3

Most Nonconformist Protestants (e.g. Methodists) call the Eucharist Holy Communion. Nonconformists believe that:

1. Holy Communion is a commemoration of the Last Supper and of God’s mercy. The bread and wine do not change, they are symbols of the presence of Christ.
2. Holy Communion gives spiritual nourishment, filling Christians with the presence of Christ and with every grace and blessing from God.
3. Holy Communion brings unity as the worshippers share the one Body of Christ.
4. Holy Communion is a reminder of the Last Supper and the crucifixion of Christ

Question 4

The Eucharist in the Church of England

Answer 4

There are different attitudes to the Eucharist in the Church of England:

1. Those Anglicans (members of the Church of England) who believe in priests and the seven sacraments have very similar beliefs to Catholics.
2. Those Anglicans who believe in ministers and two sacraments (baptism and Holy Communion) have Nonconformists Protestant beliefs about the Eucharist

Question 5

The Eucharist in the Salvation Army and Quakers

Answer 5

The Salvation Army and Quakers have no Eucharist and no sacraments because:

1. They believe Jesus is the only priest so there is no need for rituals, especially as these have caused divisions between Christian groups.
2. They believe worship should be direct contact with God without symbols like bread and wine.
3. They believe they can lead spiritually holy lives without the use of sacraments

Question 6

The Eucharist in the Eastern Orthodox Church

Answer 6

For the Eastern Orthodox Church the meaning of the Eucharist is that:

1. The bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. This change is not explained by the Church or called a sacrament but is termed a Holy Mystery.
2. The Eucharist is part of the Divine Liturgy during which Heaven comes to Earth in the body and blood of Jesus. This is symbolised by the priest consecrating the elements behind a screen (iconostasis) representing Heaven and bringing them out to the people on Earth.
3. The Eucharist gives spiritual nourishment to the congregation, filling them with the presence of Christ and with every grace and blessing from God.
4. The Eucharist is celebrated following the actions and words of Jesus during the Last Supper and remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross