Celebrating Holy Communion

• In most churches, what are the 2 main parts of the Holy Communion service?


  • In most Churches the Holy Communion service has two parts: the ministry of the Word (which focuses on the Bible) and the ministry of Holy Communion 
  • Christians have different practices when it comes to celebrating Holy Communion

  
• What is Holy Communion like in Orthodox Churches?

  • In the Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is called the Divine Liturgy, and is believed to recreate heaven on earth
  • Much of the service is held at the altar behind the iconostasis, which is a screen that represents the divide between heaven and earth - The priest passes through this using the Royal Doors

  
• What is Holy Communion like in the Catholic and Anglican Churches?

  • Holy Communion in the Catholic and Anglican Churches is very similar 
  • The main difference is that Catholics believe that the bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ , whereas many Anglicans believe Jesus is only there in a spiritual way when the bread and wine are being eaten

  
• What happens in the first part of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, titled the "Liturgy of the Word"?

  • There are hymns, prayers and a Bible reading 
  • The priest comes through the Royal Doors to chant the Gospel 
  • There may be a sermon

  
• What happens in the second part of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, titled the "Liturgy of the Faithful?


  • The priest receives wine and bread baked by church members, and prayers are offered for the church and world 
  • Behind the iconostasis, the priest says the words of Jesus at the Last Supper 
  • Most of the bread is consecrated as the body and blood of Christ and the priest distributes holy bread and wine on a spoon 
  • Prayers of thanksgiving are said , and the unconsecrated pieces of bread are given to people to take home as a sign of belonging to the Christian community

  
• In the Catholic Mass, what happens in the first part of the service, titled "The Liturgy of the Word"?


  • There are three bible readings, a psalm and a homily 
  • The Creed is said 
  • Prayers are said for the Church, the local community, the world, and for the sick and dead

  
• In the Catholic Mass, what happens in the second part of the service, titled the "Liturgy of the Eucharist"?


  • The sign of the peace is given at this point 
  • People receive the bread and wine 
  • The priest blesses people and sends them out to live the gospel

  
• In the Anglican Holy Communion, what happens in the first part of the service, titled the "Liturgy of the Word"?

  • There are three bible readings, a psalm and a homily 
  • The Creed is said 
  • Prayers are said for the Church, the local community, the world, and the sick and dead

  
• In the Anglican Holy Communion, what happens in the second part of the service, titled the "Liturgy of the Eucharist"?

  • In the Anglican Holy Communion, people give a sign of peace to each other 
  • Offerings of bread and wine are brought to the altar 
  • The priest repeats the words of Jesus at the Last Supper over the bread and wine 
  • People say the Lord’s Prayer

  
• During the Holy Communion in the United Reformed Church, what happens when the service begins?

  • The service begins with a hymn and prayer of praise and thanksgiving 
  • Bible readings and a sermon are given 
  • Prayers for the world and the needs of particular people are said 
  • The minister repeats the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper

  
• During the Holy Communion in the United Reformed Church, what happens when it is time to have holy communion?

  • There is an ‘open table’ so anyone who wishes may receive Holy Communion 
  • Sometimes the bread is cut beforehand, other times it is broken and passed around by the congregation 
  • Wine is sometimes non-alcoholic and is usually distributed in small cups 
  • The service ends with a prayer of thanksgiving, a blessing, and an encouragement to go out and serve God