Eucharist

The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper, is a central rite in many Christian churches in which believers share bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ's last supper with his disciples. It is viewed as a memorial of Jesus' death and, in many traditions, a means of grace. The practice traces to the New Testament accounts of the Last Supper and to Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.

In most traditions the bread and wine are consecrated by an ordained minister, and participants receive them as a sign of communion with Christ and with one another. Theologies of the Eucharist vary considerably. Catholics teach that the elements undergo a real change in substance (transubstantiation) and become the body and blood of Christ, while Orthodox Christians affirm real presence through divine operation, without using the same philosophical language. Lutherans affirm a real presence through sacramental union, whereas many Reformed churches describe the presence as spiritual or symbolic, emphasizing the memorial and covenantal aspects. Anglican understandings range from a real presence to a memorial interpretation, with diversity across provinces and communities.

Practices differ in form and frequency. In Catholic and Orthodox worship, the Eucharist is typically the central act of the service and may be offered weekly or more often; many Protestant communities celebrate it regularly as a memorial meal, with variations in how often and who may participate. The rite often includes preparation, confession, and thanksgiving, and it remains a focal point for ecclesial unity, devotion, and the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.