The sacrament of Holy Communion forms part of worship for most Christians - Explain the beliefs and practises associated with this sacrament.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Umair Khalid Christianity Coursework DRHE

The sacrament of Holy Communion forms part of worship for most Christians. Explain the beliefs and practises associated with this sacrament.

A sacrament is a symbol through which Christians receive strength and guidance from god to help them in their everyday lives. Of all the sacraments, one of the most important ones is Holy Communion because Jesus gave the command to do so. Most Christians have always met to celebrate the Last Supper meal on Jesus’ last night between Jesus and his disciples. Its relevance to a lot of Christians lives is that it is the main ceremony of their life as a worshipper. Most Christians remember Jesus giving himself up, dying on the cross and resurrecting to save us from our sins

“Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying , ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”

(Luke 22: 19-20)

through sharing a meal of bread and wine, often in a service. Jesus asked his followers to do this in his memory. Holy Communion gives a sense of brotherhood and allows members worldwide to join together as a community.

Christians believe that there is a link between Passover and Holy Communion. God saved the Jews from the Egyptians by giving instructions to Moses. He told each Jewish household to kill a lamb and put some of its blood on their doorposts. An angel then came and the firstborn son of each household died, however the angel passed over the Jewish households. This then became the covenant between them and God sealed in the blood of the lambs. Jesus is looked upon as the lamb of God. He died and rose again to save humankind and this was the new covenant between God and humans, sealed in Jesus’ blood.

Due to the various denominations and their beliefs, various names are given to Holy Communion. Eucharist is used in Anglicans and Roman Catholics. It means thanksgiving and is the sharing of the bread and the wine. Holy Communion means meeting in a group to share something i.e. bread and wine, and this is used in Anglicans and the Free Churches. Mass is used by Roman Catholics and a few Anglicans. The Mass service was at a time read in Latin and the last sentence read ‘Ite, missa est’ which means in English ‘Go, you are sent on a mission.’ At the end of Mass, the congregation depart to continue their mission, after being strengthened spiritually by the fellowship of the Church and the body and blood of Christ. Divine Liturgy is used in the Orthodox Church and it means to give an offering or service. Members of this Church look at the Divine Liturgy as a change to offer praise to God and dedicate their lives to him. Free Church members who are more informal in their service use the Breaking of Bread as their title because it serves as a reminder of the service’s origin. Jesus broke bread and shared wine among his disciples. The Lord’s Supper is used in other Free Churches. Christians can share a meal with the spiritual presence of Jesus, like the disciples shared a meal with him.

Most Christians celebrate some form of Holy Communion. High churches e.g. Anglican, Orthodox, celebrate it as their main act of worship, every Sunday and usually during the week. Low churches e.g. Baptist, Methodist, celebrate it once or twice a month and their emphasis is on Bible readings. However, not all denominations celebrate the Holy Communion. The Society of Friends and the Salvation Army both do not have Eucharistic services. The reason for this is that they believe the outward symbols are unnecessary. What is necessary in worship, they believe, is that Jesus is accepted into their hearts and souls. They ...

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Christians have believed right from the very start, that in Holy Communion the bread and the wine became the body and blood of Christ once consecrated.

‘This is my body…This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many’

(Mark 14: 24)

The language use however has confused Christians. Some believe it actually becomes the body and blood of Christ, while some believe that it becomes the body and blood of Christ spiritually. There is agreement nowadays that they become the body and blood of Christ in a mysterious fashion. A mystery can be believed, yet not explained. Different people have different views upon the function and way the Eucharist should be carried out. Some see it as a family meal while others do not. Some feel it is for a sense of community, others feel it is mostly for remembering Jesus. Some traditions use wine while others use fruit juice. These various minor changes in method are numerous but the basic idea is the same throughout.

Christians agree upon four points on Holy Communion:

It is there to allow thanksgiving and praise to God for Jesus’ sacrifice.
Jesus asked his followers to remember him by sharing bread and wine and so Holy Communion began.
Whenever Holy Communion takes place, Jesus is present.
Christians share this meal as a family e.g. with the Father ( risen Jesus) present.

This is what Christians believe about Holy Communion in general, but each denomination differs slightly with its function and meaning.

Holy Communion services can be generalised into two categories: High Churches and Low Churches, although they may be quite different within each category. High Churches are ones which follow a set routine and their churches are often highly decorated, containing many objects. Low Churches do not follow liturgical patterns and are not as decorated as High Churches e.g. the Society of Friends meet in Meeting Houses.

In an Orthodox Church, Holy Community or Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the following ways every Sunday plus during the week as well:

First of all is the Liturgy of the Word. The congregation sings hymns and prayer follows. There is then a bible readings which may be from the Acts of the Apostles or from letters from the Apostles. The book of gospels are taken from behind the iconostasis by the priest to the people at the Lesser Entrance. He then sings the gospel passage. A sermon usually follows, however sometimes this sermon is delivered at the end of the service. The Liturgy of the Faithful then follows where the bread and wine are carried in a procession through the congregation by the priest. They are brought from behind the Royal Doors of the iconostasis and they are then placed on the alter. This is known as the Greater Entrance. Prayers are then read and these are often intercession prayers for the leaders, for the world and the local community. The Creed is then sung along with the Lord’s Prayer, which is used by all denominations. Royal Doors are shut and the priest thanks God for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. This takes place at the alter behind the Royal Doors. He then repeats what Jesus said at the Last Supper. After that, the bread is divided into four parts:

One part is put in a chalice with wine
The second part is divided among the clergy
The third is placed in the chalice in small pieces for the communion of the people
The final part is placed on a dish, but unlike the other three parts, is not consecrated by the priest afterwards.

‘One piece of the sanctified bread (IC) is put into the chalice together with a cup of hot water which symbolizes the living character of the Risen Christ whose body and soul are reunited and filled with the Holy Spirit in the glorified life of the Kingdom of God.’

Orthodox Church in America website

The congregation approach the iconostasis for communion led by the priest. The consecrated bread and wine are given on a spoon together to each person.

The person then kisses the chalice. After the communion, thanksgiving is said. At the end of the service, the priest stands with the unconsecrated bread on front of the Royal Doors. Each person takes a piece of bread and kiss a small cross held by the priest or his hand.

As evident, Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church follows a detailed and strict routine. It follows liturgical patterns and this is how Holy Communion is practised among high churches, and also what is believed and symbolised.

In the Methodist Church i.e. Low Church, they celebrate Communion once or twice a month. Hymn and prayers of praise begin the service, which is followed by a Bible reading and sermon explaining its relevance and meaning. Prayers are said for those in need throughout the world. The minister says the Prayer of Thanksgiving over the bread and wine. The prayer tells the story of the Last Supper and it is taken from one of the gospels. The ‘altar’ is called a communion table and the people are

invited there with ‘Receive the body of Christ which was given for you and the blood of Christ which was shed for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith and thanksgiving.’ This means that you do not feed on Christ’s body and blood for physical hunger, but a spiritual one where the heart and soul need to be strengthened and nourished. Fruit juice is normally used. After the communion, another thanksgiving prayer occurs, and the people are then dismissed.

This pattern seems very liturgical, however these are the bare elements and the routine and structure varies from church to church and each service usually contains these steps. This is what happens usually in a Methodist Church, and what is symbolised and believed.

Holy Communion varies in structure and routine from Church to Church. It also varies in function. Overall, most Christians celebrate the Holy Communion, because Jesus ordered them to at the last supper. They believe that it is an opportunity for thanksgiving and for family and community bonding. When consecrated, the bread and wine become some form of Christ’s body and blood, whether it be physical or spiritual.