Eucharist
Part of the series on
Communion
also known as
"The Eucharist" or
"The Lord’s Supper"
Theology
Transubstantiation
Consecration
Real Presence
Words of Institution
Impanation
Memorialism
Consubstantiation
Sacramental union
Transignification
Theologies contrasted
Eucharist (Catholic Church)
Eucharist (Lutheran Church)
Anglican Eucharistic theology
Important theologians
Paul ·Luther
Aquinas · Calvin
Chrysostom · Augustine
Zwingli
Related Articles
Christianity
Christianity and alcohol
Catholic Historic Roots
Closed and Open Table
Divine Liturgy
Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic discipline
First Communion
Infant Communion
Mass · Sacrament
Sanctification
The Eucharist, also called Holy Commu-
nion or The Lord’s Supper and other
names, is a Christian sacrament, generally
considered to be a commemoration of the
Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus Christ
shared with his disciples before his arrest
and eventual crucifixion. The consecration of
bread and a cup within the rite recalls the
moment at the Last Supper when Jesus gave
his disciples bread, saying, "This is my body",
and wine, saying, "This is my blood."[1][2].
There are different interpretations of the
significance of the Eucharist, but "there is
more of a consensus among Christians about
the meaning of the Eucharist than would ap-
pear from the confessional debates over the
sacramental presence, the effects of the
Eucharist, and the proper auspices under
which it may be celebrated."[1]
The phrase "the Eucharist" may refer not
only to the rite but also to the bread and wine
(or, in some Protestant denominations mor-
ally opposed to the consumption of alcohol,
unfermented grape juice) used in the rite,[3]
and, in this sense, communicants may speak
of "receiving the Eucharist", as well as "cel-
ebrating the Eucharist".
Etymology
The Greek noun eukharistía (εὐχαριστία) de-
rives from eú- "good, well" + kháris "favor,
grace". Eukharistéō (εὐχαριστῶ) is the usual
verb for "to thank" in the Septuagint and
New Testament. It is found in the major texts
concerni