The Eucharist

Question 1

Simple Explanation

Answer 1

Holy Communion sacrament using bread and wine to celebrate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross & resurrection, give thanks to God for sending Jesus (atonement), enabling them to experience God’s love for eternity, commemorates Last Supper

Question 2

Orthodox Belief

Answer 2

Jesus is present in the bread and wine in a spiritual way, transformed into his body and blood

Question 3

Church of England belief

Answer 3

Spiritual presence bread & wine, identical service to Catholic, sign of peace shared at a different point in service before offerings of bread & wine, emphasis on community meal being shared with all

Question 4

Iconostasis

Answer 4

Wall of religious art used to separate the nave (body) of the Church from the sanctuary around the altar (represents divide between Earth & Heaven)

Question 5

Baptist Belief

Answer 5

Emphasis on sharing of community meal, non-alcoholic wine, symbolic of death re-enactment of last supper ‘memorialism’

Question 6

Catholic Belief

Answer 6

Bread & wine actual flesh & blood of Jesus (transubstantiation),

Question 7

Lutheran Belief

Answer 7

consubstantiation, sacramental union, mystical presence of Jesus in bread & wine

Question 8

Link

Answer 8

Food & drink intrinsic to human physical survival, sacrament intrinsic to spiritual survival

Question 9

United Reformed Church Service

Answer 9

Begins with hymn, prayer of praise & thanksgiving, Bible readings & sermon, congregation prays for world & needs of particular people, minister reminds congregations of Jesus’ teaching @ Last Supper & says prayer of thanksgiving “This is my body” “This is my blood”, ‘open table’ anyone can receive wine & bread, some may come forward, wine may be non-alcoholic & distributed in small cups, bread cut beforehand or broken off and passed through congregation, prayer of thanksgiving, blessing & encouragement to go out & serve God

Question 10

The Catholic Mass

Answer 10

Begins w greeting from priest, prayers of penance & praise (‘Gloria’), instituted by Jesus @ last supper - sharing of bread & wine w disciples,

Question 11

Liturgy of the Word (Mass)

Answer 11

Three readings from Bible (Old Testament, Paul’s letters, the Gospel), a psalm and a homily, prayers for the Church, the local community, the sick & the dead, preceded by the Creed on Sundays

Question 12

Liturgy of the World (Divine Liturgy)

Answer 12

Hymns, prayers, Bible readings, priest comes through Royal Doors to chant Gospel, may be sermon

Question 13

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Answer 13

Offerings of bread & wine brought to alter, Eucharistic prayer priest using words of Jesus @ Last Supper, prays over wine w similar words, people say Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace congregation & priest, come forward to receive communion, priest blesses people

Question 14

Language of the Eucharist

Answer 14

“He gave you thanks, he broke it [the bread], gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you in remembrance of me.”, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your lives.”

Question 15

The Divine Liturgy

Answer 15

Recreates Heaven on Earth, much of service takes place in sanctuary, priest passes through iconostasis using Royal Doors, church filled with candles & incense to help ppl feel God’s presence

Question 16

Name Meaning

Answer 16

In communion with & therefore part of Christ, Eucharist means thanksgiving

Question 17

Global Impact

Answer 17

Reminds starvation, encourages to work for equality & justice, churches collect money to support work for developing countries, elderly, prisoners & homeless

Question 18

Liturgy of the Faithful

Answer 18

Priest comes through Royal Doors, receives wine & bread baked by congregation & selects one loaf to be consecrated, Creed, Lord’s Prayer & other prayers offered for Church, world & local community, behind closed Royal Doors priest says words Jesus said @ Last Supper, bread divided in four (3 consecrated, 1 unconsecrated and broken into small pieces), priest gives wine & consecrated bread on spoon to those seeking communion, prayers of thanksgiving, priest gives ppl leaving unconsecrated bread to take home as a sign of being part of Christian community

Question 19

Perception of Holy Communion

Answer 19

Receiving God’s grace by joining in the great sacrifice of Jesus, act of fellowship w fellow Christians and communion w God, past event becomes present reality, unity, strengthens commitment to faith, gives support & encouragement in difficult times, put love into God into loving others, Holy communion meal where everyone equal

Question 20

Is it a sacrament for all Churches?

Answer 20

No, but significant ceremony for all. For Catholics, Jesus is made present once again and they are truly receiving Him. At the centre of the lives of many Christians, essence of faith.