Quick Answer
Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper, is a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. The bread and wine consumed during Holy Communion symbolize the body and blood of Christ. Different Christian denominations have varying practices regarding what food and drink may be used for Holy Communion. Bread, wafers, or crackers are nearly always used to represent the body of Christ. Wine or grape juice often represents the blood of Christ, though some Protestant churches use non-alcoholic grape juice instead of wine. The type of bread and wine or juice may differ between church traditions. Ultimately, the spiritual significance is more important than the specific food and drink elements used in Holy Communion.
What Does the Bible Say About Communion?
The practice of Holy Communion originates from instructions Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper, as described in the Bible.
The apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians provides one of the most detailed accounts of the Last Supper:
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
This passage makes it clear that Jesus instructed his followers to continue sharing bread and wine together in remembrance of his sacrifice on the cross. The broken bread represents Christ’s broken body, and the cup of wine represents his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
Other accounts of the Last Supper and instructions about communion include:
– Matthew 26:26-29
– Mark 14:22-25
– Luke 22:14-23
These scriptures provide the foundation for Holy Communion practices in the Christian church today.
Standard Communion Elements
The elements used for Holy Communion tend to be some form of bread and some form of wine or grape juice. However, the specific type of bread and type of wine or juice may vary between denominations and church traditions.
Bread, Wafers, or Crackers
Most churches use bread or wafers of some kind as the symbolic body of Christ. Options can include:
– Yeast bread loaf – Often leavened wheat bread baked into small loaf portions
– Unleavened bread – Flat bread similar to crackers made without yeast
– Communion wafers – Thin, round wafers made from wheat and water
– Gluten-free bread or wafers – For those with gluten intolerance
– Rice cakes or other bread substitutes – Sometimes used by those with extreme gluten allergy
The Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox traditions all specifically use some form of wheat-based bread. Other Protestant denominations may use bread alternatives like rice cakes or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions. But generally, the bread or wafer represents the body of Christ broken on the cross.
Wine or Grape Juice
In most liturgical church traditions, red wine is used to reflect the blood of Christ shed on the cross. Usually it is given in a common cup and shared by the whole congregation. However, some Protestant denominations use grape juice instead of wine out of concerns over alcohol abuse or to accommodate those who abstain from alcohol. Options include:
– Red wine – Used by Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, and some Protestant groups
– Red grape juice – Used by Baptists, Methodists, and many evangelical churches
– Non-alcoholic wine – Dealcoholized wine used by recovering alcoholics
– White grape juice – Occasionally used as a wine alternative
The use of wine versus grape juice is one of the major differences between denominational communion practices today. But in either form, it represents the blood of Christ and the new covenant established through his sacrifice.
Special Communion Bread
In some traditions, the bread used for communion is not everyday bread but a specially-made bread reserved for the sacrament.
Altar Bread
Churches like the Catholic church, Eastern Orthodox churches, and some Anglican churches use specially-made altar breads. These unleavened communion wafers are made from wheat flour and water, sometimes with added sacramental wine. They may be baked at home by members or ordered from church suppliers. The round shape and thin wafers are specially designed for use in the liturgy.
Prosphora
In Eastern Orthodox churches, leavened loaves of communion bread are baked by church members. This holy bread is called prosphora in Greek. It has a square shape and seal depicting a cross or religious images. The prosphora is used in various ways during the Divine Liturgy.
Host
The Catholic tradition uses unleavened altar breads known as communion hosts. They are flat, round wafers impressed with religious symbols. Large priest hosts may be used for celebration, while smaller wafers are distributed to the congregation. For Catholic mass, only these specially-made unleavened wafers qualify as Eucharistic bread.
Significance of Unleavened Bread
Many churches use unleavened bread made only from wheat flour and water with no yeast. This follows the type of bread used by Jesus in the Passover meal that became the Last Supper. Unleavened bread holds symbolic meaning:
– It recalls the haste of the Israelites fleeing Egypt, when they did not have time for bread to rise.
– It represents the absence of sin/corruption, since leaven was seen as corrupt or impure in ancient times.
– It signifies the broken body of Christ, incorruptible and sinless.
So unleavened bread emphasizes the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice and the new covenant established through his death and resurrection.
Wine Substitutes
While grape wine is the most traditional communion beverage, some denominations or situations call for substitutes:
| Substitute | Reason for Use |
|---|---|
| Grape juice | Avoid alcohol or include children/teetotalers |
| Mustum | Contains alcohol but not enough to intoxicate |
| Dealcoholized wine | For recovering alcoholics |
| Rice wine | Alternative for those with gluten intolerance/allergy |
These alternatives allow broader participation in Holy Communion for those who cannot consume regular wine for health, addiction, or conscience reasons. The spiritual meaning remains the same.
Communion Elements in Different Traditions
While all incorporating bread and wine/juice, various Christian denominations have some unique communion customs:
Catholic Church
– Unleavened wafers of wheat bread made only by priests
– Red altar wine only
– Given as one shared cup and one bread wafer
Eastern Orthodox
– Leavened loaf bread (prosphora)
– Red wine mixed with water
– Administered with a spoon directly into the mouth
Lutheran
– Usually leavened wheat bread
– Wine or grape juice
– Given in individual cups and wafers or broken bread
Anglican
– Leavened or unleavened bread
– Wine or grape juice
– Given by common cup or individual small cups
Presbyterian
– Yeast bread or crackers
– Wine or grape juice
– Individual cups and torn bread
Baptist
– Unleavened bread or crackers
– Grape juice only
– Passed in trays to be taken individually
Methodist
– Bread or crackers
– Wine or grape juice
– Self-serve from communion rails
Ingredients to Avoid
Most traditional churches avoid certain ingredients for communion:
– Leavened bread – Seen as symbolic of corruption
– Non-wheat flour – Strays from biblical Passover bread
– Alcohol substitutes like apple juice – Do not accurately represent wine
Modifications may be made in extenuating circumstances, like adding small amounts of gluten-free flour to accommodate disease. But in general, the elements stay close to their original biblical meanings.
Home Communion Practices
Some denominations like Catholics and Orthodox have strict rules around only clergy administering communion during a church service. But others like Anglicans and Lutherans allow the Eucharist to be given by certain lay people or taken at home by the sick or shut-in. Home communion practices include:
– Using leftover blessed bread and wine from the Sunday service
– Clergy administering communion to shut-ins
– Lay Eucharistic ministers bringing elements to the sick
– Celebrating the Eucharist at home under pastoral guidance
Home communion offers access to the sacrament when attending church is not possible. The meaning remains the same, though the elements are brought outside the church building.
Pre-filled Communion Cups
Some churches use individual pre-filled communion cups prepared by specialized companies. These help avoid certain issues:
– Hygiene – Each person has their own cup instead of a shared chalice.
– Spilling – Pre-filled cups prevent spilling during passing.
– Convenience – No need to fill small cups during the service.
The cups have a sealed top layer covering the bread and grape juice inside. The top layer is peeled back to access the elements at the appropriate time. Pre-filled communion cups allow efficient, hygienic distribution of the Eucharist.
Conclusion
While the specific bread and wine or juice used may vary, all Holy Communion practices derive from Christ’s command to remember him through sharing bread and wine. The spiritual meaning and symbolism remain central, not the particular ingredients. Through partaking in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, Christians receive spiritual nourishment and renewal at the Lord’s table.