WHY THE EUCHARIST?
In Orthodox worship the Eucharist is thanksgiving and communion in the true body and blood of Christ, received within the Church's liturgical life and ordered toward union with him and one another.
Historical context
Paul's letters are the earliest surviving Christian discussion of Eucharistic participation and discernment. Ignatius and Justin give early post-apostolic witnesses; their descriptions are not identical to a later fixed liturgical rite.
Avoid overclaiming
Justin describes a second-century Eucharist, not the complete present Byzantine liturgical text. His language is evidence of an early realist witness, not a neutral adjudication of every later account of the change.
Strongest alternative reading
Catholic teaching also confesses Christ's true presence and defines transubstantiation. Lutherans confess Christ's body and blood truly given; Reformed sources speak of real spiritual feeding by faith, and other Protestants emphasize memorial proclamation. 'Remembrance' and 'symbol' cannot be used to erase those differences.
Key points
- Passover / covenant meal
- Last Supper
- 1 Corinthians 10–11
- Ignatius / Justin / Irenaeus
- Divine Liturgy today
Common questions
- What does this reading make of both participation and remembrance?
- How does Paul's concern for the poor shape the meaning of one body?
Scripture
- Exodus 12:1-14; Luke 22:14-20
- 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
- John 6:35-63
- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:17-34 — Paul joins participation in Christ and one body to a rebuke of divisions and the humiliation of those who have nothing.
- Matthew 5:23-24; James 2:1-9, 14-17 — Jesus calls for reconciliation before offering a gift; James condemns favoritism toward the rich and a faith that leaves a neighbor without necessities.
Primary sources
Justin Martyr explains:
Justin's second-century account says Christians do not receive the Eucharist as ordinary bread and drink.
For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these
Passage context and translation
Justin explains who may receive the Eucharist and then connects this food with the incarnate Christ. The fuller description of the Sunday assembly follows in chapter 67.
Before the excerpt
And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist]
After the excerpt
so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word ... is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.
Didache 14 links the Lord's Day assembly and thanksgiving with confession and reconciliation.
But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned.
Passage context and translation
Chapter 14 concerns the Lord's Day assembly, breaking bread, thanksgiving, confession, and reconciliation. Its language of sacrifice belongs to that setting. The anonymous document's title is not proof that the twelve apostles wrote it.
Before the excerpt
But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.
Justin's Sunday account connects apostolic and prophetic readings, exhortation, prayer, thanksgiving, and distribution.
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
Passage context and translation
Justin explains second-century Sunday worship to a Roman audience, including readings, exhortation, prayer, the Eucharist, and care for the poor. This early witness is shared across Christian traditions.
Before the excerpt
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things.
After the excerpt
Then we all rise together and pray
The same Sunday account includes voluntary gifts supporting orphans, widows, prisoners, strangers, and other people in need.
And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit
Passage context and translation
The same Sunday-worship paragraph describes collection and distribution for orphans, widows, people in need through sickness or another cause, prisoners, and strangers. Justin presents worship and material care together to his Roman audience.
After the excerpt
and what is collected is deposited with the president