holy communion

• holy communion


  • the service known as holy communion appears in a letter written by st paul 20ish years after jesus' death
  • its clear hes reporting a distinct christian practice learnt from one with teaching authority in the early church. he says its a covenant to remember j
  • most churches celebrate it but there are many different understandings: for catholics its a sacrament; protestants an ordinance; and quakers and salvation army dont celebrate it because they believe christians should express their faith by living good lives not symbolic worship services
• holy communion's many names

  
  

  • CoE: eucharist (meaning i give thanks)
  • Roman Catholic: mass (from latin ite missa est meaning go the mass has ended)
  • Orthodox Churches: the divine liturgy (reffers to holy work in ritual form)
  • Baptist Churches (and some protestants): the lords supper (emphasises importance as a community meal commemorating the last supper)
  • Pentecostal Churches: the breaking of bread (focus on sharing the bread with others as members of a christian community)