EUCHARIST

This is considered as one of seven sacraments in the Coptic Church. The Coptic Church believes that in the Eucharist, the bread and wine are no longer mere bread and wine but become the true Body and Blood of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ as being the sacrifice of Christ for all humanity.

The Eucharist is known as the sacrament of thanksgiving, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s table, Christ’s table, the sacred table, Holy Communion, the holy sacrifice, the divine mystery, the Lord’s bread, the heavenly bread, Christ’s Body, the Precious Blood, and the redemptive chalice.

According to the Gospel, Christ himself has instituted this sacrament. It is the firm belief of the Orthodox Church that after the consecration of the oblations and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them, they become the Body and the Blood of Christ. Many church fathers from the second century and onward mentioned the Eucharist in their writing, such as Ignatius of Antioch, Cyril of Jerusalem, Dionysius of Alexandria, Cyril of Alexandria, and many others.

The Eucharist must be denied to unbelievers, the not baptized, and believers who are impenitent or unprepared to receive the Sacrament. The Eucharist is celebrated daily in most Coptic churches and monasteries; a few churches, however, celebrate it only on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.

GAWDAT GABRA