315. What is the Communion?
The Communion is a Sacrament, in which the believer, under the forms of bread and wine, partakes of the very Body and Blood of Christ, to everlasting life.
316. How was this Sacrament instituted?
Jesus Christ, immediately before his passion, consecrated it for the first time, exhibiting in it by anticipation a lively image of his sufferings for our salvation; and after having administered it to the Apostles, he gave them at the same time a commandment ever after to perpetuate this Sacrament.
317. What is to be noticed of the Sacrament of the Communion in regard to divine service in the Church?
This: that it forms the chief and most essential part of divine service.
318. What is the name of that service in which the Sacrament of the Communion is consecrated?
The Liturgy.
319. What means the word Liturgy t
Common service, but the name Liturgy is specially appropriated to that divine service in which the Sacrament of the Communion is consecrated.
320. What is to be noted of the place where the Liturgy is celebrated?
It must always be consecrated in a temple, the table in which, or at least, if there be no such table, the antimense on which the Sacrament is consecrated, must have been consecrated by a Bishop.
321. Why is the temple called a church T
Because the faithful, who compose the Church, meet in it for prayer and Sacraments.
322. Why is the table, on which the Sacrament of the Communion is consecrated, called the throne?
Because on it Jesus Christ, as King, is mystically present.
323. What general order of parts may be remarked in the Liturgy?
This: that first the elements are prepared for the Sacrament; secondly, the faithful are prepared for the Sacrament; lastly, the Sacrament itself is consecrated.
324. What is the name for that part of the Liturgy in which the elements are prepared for the Sacrament?
Proskomidè, προσκομιδή .
325. What is the meaning of the word Proskomidè?
Offertory.
326. Why is this name given to the first part of the Liturgy?
From the custom of the primitive Christians to offer in the Church bread and wine for the celebration of the Sacrament. On the same account this bread is called prosphora, which means oblation.
327. In what consists the Offertory, as a part of the Liturgy?
In this: that with mention made of the prophecies and types, and partly also of the events themselves, relating to the birth and suffering of Jesus Christ, a portion is taken from the prosphora for use in the Sacrament, and likewise a portion of wine mixed with water is poured off into the holy chalice, while the celebrator makes commemoration of the whole Church, honors the glorified saints, prays for the living and the departed, especially for the ruling powers, and for those who, of their own faith and zeal, have brought prosphoræ, or oblations.
328. Of what kind should be the bread for the Sacrament?
Such as the name itself of bread, the holiness of the Mystery, and the example of Jesus Christ and the Apostles all require; that is, leavened, pure, wheaten bread.
329. What is signified by this, that the bread or loaf which is strictly to be used for the Communion is only one T
It signifies, as the Apostle explains, that we, being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. lCor.x.17.
330. Why is the bread, when prepared for the Communion, called the Lamb?
Because it is the figure of Jesus Christ suffering, as was in the Old Testament the Paschal Lamb.
331. What was the Paschal Lamb?
The lamb which the Israelites, by God's command, killed and ate in memory of their deliverance from destruction in Egypt.
332. Why is the wine for the Sacrament of the Communion mixed with water?
Because the whole of this celebration is ordered so as to figure forth the sufferings of Christ; and when he suffered there flowed from his pierced side blood and water.
333. What name has that part of the Liturgy in which the faithful are prepared for the Sacrament?
The ancients called it the Liturgy of the Catechumens; because, besides baptized communicants, the catechumens, also, who are preparing for Baptism, and the penitents, who are not admitted to communion, may be present at it.
334. With what does this part of the Liturgy begin?
With the Blessing, or glorification of the Kingdom of the Most Holy Trinity.
335. In what consists this part of the Liturgy?
In prayers, singing, and reading from the books of the Apostles, and from the Gospel.
336. "With what does it end?
With the order given to the catechumens to go out and leave the church.
337. What is the name for that part of the Liturgy in which the Sacrament itself is celebrated and consecrated?
The Liturgy of the Faithful; because the faithful only, that is, the baptized, have the right to be present at this service.
338. What is the most essential act in this part of the Liturgy?
The utterance of the words which Jesus Christ spake in instituting the Sacrament: Take, eat; this is my body. Drink ye all of it; for this is my Blood of the New Testament. Matt. xxvi. 26, 27, 28. And after this the invocation of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing the gifts, that is, the bread and wine which have been offered.
339. Why is this so essential?
Because at the moment of this act the bread and wine are changed, or transubstantiated, into the very Body of Christ, and into the very Blood of Christ.
340. How are we to understand the word transubstantiation T
In the exposition of the faith by the Eastern Patriarchs, it is said that the word transubstantiation is not to be taken to define the manner in which the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of the Lord; for this none can understand but God; but only thus much is signified, that the bread truly, really, and substantially becomes the very true Body of the Lord, and the wine the very Blood of the Lord. In like manner John Damascene, treating of the Holy and Immaculate Mysteries of the Lord, writes thus: It is truly that Body, united with Godhead, which had its origin from the Holy Virgin; not as though that Body which ascended came down from heaven, but because the bread and wine themselves are changed into the Body and Blood of God. But if thou seekest after the manner how this is, let it suffice thee to be told that it is by the Holy Ghost; in like manner as, by the same Holy Ghost, the Lord formed flesh to himself, and in himself, from the Mother of God; nor know I aught more than this, that the Word of God is true, powerful, and almighty, but its manner of operation unsearchable. (J. Damasc. Theol. lib. iv. cap. 13, § 7.)
341. What is required individually of every one who desires to approach the Sacrament of the Communion?
To examine his conscience before God, and to cleanse it from sin by penitence; for doing which he has helps in fasting and prayer.
Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup; for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's Body. 1 Cor. xi. 28, 29.
342. What benefit does he receive who communicates in the Body and Blood of Christ?
He is in the closest manner united to Jesus Christ himself, and, in him, is made partaker of everlasting life.
He that eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. John vi. 56. Whoso eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, hath eternal life. John vi. 54.
343. Ought we to communicate often in the holy Mysteries?
The primitive Christians communicated every Lord's Day; but now few have such purity of life as to be always prepared to approach so great a Mystery. Our Mother the Church calls on all, who would live religiously, to confess before their ghostly Father, and communicate in the Body and Blood of Christ, four times yearly, or even every month, but requires all, without exception, to receive it at the least once in the year. (See Orthod. Confess. Pt. I. Q. 90.)
344. What part can they have in the divine Liturgy who only hear it without approaching the holy Communion?
They may and should take part in the Liturgy by prayer and faith, and especially by a continual remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who expressly has commanded us to do this in remembrance of him. Luke xxii. 19.
345. What should we remember at that time in the Liturgy when they make the Procession with the Gospel?
Jesus Christ appearing to preach the Gospel. So also while the Gospel is reading, we should have the same attention and reverence as if we saw and heard Jesus Christ himself.
346. What should we remember at that time in the Liturgy when they make the Procession with the gifts from the table of preparation to the altar?
Jesus Christ going to suffer voluntarily, as a victim to the slaughter, while more than twelve legions of angels were ready around to guard him as their King.
The King of kings, and Lord of lords, cometh to be slaughtered. (Hymn for the Liturgy on the Great Sabbath.)
347. What should we remember at the moment of the consecration of the Sacrament, and while the clergy are communicating within the altar?
The mystical supper of Jesus Christ himself with his Apostles; his suffering, death, and burial.
348. What is set forth after this, by the drawing back of the veil, the opening of the royal doors, and the appearance of the holy gifts?
The appearance of Jesus Christ himself after his resurrection.
349. What is figured by the last showing of the holy gifts to the people, after which they are hid from view?
The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.
350. Will the use of the Sacrament of the holy Communion continue ever in the true Church of Christ?
Assuredly it will ever continue, even to Christ's coming again, agreeably to the words of the Apostle Paul: For as oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi. 26.
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