The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist – Some Canonical Remarks
The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist – Some Canonical Remarks

Summary/Abstract: According to the Orthodox Church, the Eucharist is not just a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice or of its enactment, but it is a real sacrifice. On the other hand, however, it is not a new sacrifice, nor a repetition of the Sacrifice of the Cross upon Golgotha. The events of Christ’s Sacrifice – the Incarnation, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, are not repeated during the Eucharist, yet they become a present reality. Acceptance of one’s baptism and chrismation in the Church, responsibility for the Church’s faith and life, the struggle to put the faith fully into practice, accountability for one’s personal belief and behavior, constant and continual repentance, and peace with all people in the union of love commanded and given by God in Christ and the Holy Spirit -- these are the requirements for participation in holy communion in the Orthodox Church. They are, ultimately and essentially, what Holy Communion itself is all about. The know ledge and observance of the canonical ordinances and norms of the Orthodox Church, as well as the canonical-liturgical guidance and teachings regarding the administration of the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, is a canonical obligation of every priest of our Church.

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