Origins of Holy Communion

Find out about the elements of the Eucharistic liturgy

Since early Christian times, the word Eucharist (which comes from the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’) has been used to describe the Sacrament that Jesus Christ instituted at the Last Supper. Four accounts of the origin of the Eucharist are given in the New Testament (Matthew 26: 26 - 29, Mark 14: 22 - 25, Luke 22: 15 - 20, and 1 Corinthians 11: 23 - 26). There are minor variations, but all accounts agree that on the night before his crucifixion, Christ met with his disciples for a Last Supper. After solemn ritual acts he spoke of the bread as his body and the wine as his blood of the new Covenant. In the earliest written account, that of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, and in the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded that the disciples were instructed to continue the rite in remembrance of their Lord's death. The celebration of the Eucharist was accordingly regarded as an essential part of worship in the early church and has remained a central observance of the Christian church ever since. It is variously described as the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, and the Mass. Christians of all traditions, with very few exceptions, regard the observance of the sacrament as a binding obligation. However, interpretations of the meaning of the Eucharist vary, not only between Christian denominations but also within individual denominations. Nevertheless, the Eucharist remains to be a central and universal expression of Christian devotion. Find out about the elements of the Eucharistic liturgy

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