communions

Communions, in Christian usage, refers to the ritual of Holy Communion, also called the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. It is a sacramental act in which bread and wine are shared by the faithful to commemorate Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples and to symbolize their participation in his life, death, and resurrection. The elements and the act of sharing are central to most traditions, though the interpretation of their significance varies widely.

Historically, the practice arose in the early Christian community as a continuation of Jesus’s meal with his followers. Across denominations, the belief about how Christ is present in the elements differs. Catholic and Orthodox churches typically teach a real presence of Christ in the bread and wine, though they articulate this with different doctrinal terms (for example, transubstantiation in Roman Catholic teaching). Many Protestant groups view the rite as a memorial or signify spiritual presence, rather than a change in substance. Anglican and some Lutheran traditions hold a range of views that affirm a real presence without a single agreed formulation.

Ritual practice varies by church. The rite is usually led by an ordained minister and includes prayers of thanksgiving, a consecration, and the distribution of the elements to communicants. Frequency ranges from weekly to monthly or quarterly, depending on the tradition. Restrictions on participation also vary: some churches admit only baptized members, others practice open communion.

The term communions can thus describe both the rite itself and the diverse ways it is observed across Christian communities.