Mystery of the Holy Communion — Mahibere Teklehaimanot

The Fourth Pillar — The Supreme Sacrament

The Holy Communion (Meshtire Qurban), also known as the Holy Eucharist, is the supreme sacrament of the Church. Through the prayer of consecration in the Divine Liturgy, ordinary bread and wine become the literal Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the ultimate spiritual nourishment. Through the Holy Communion the believer is united directly with Christ Himself — and with the whole Body of the Church, in earth and in heaven.

By partaking of the visible Bread and Wine, we attain to invisible heavenly blessings and eternal life. This is why it is called a Mystery.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him.” — John 6:53–57

What follows is eleven teachings on this Mystery — drawn from the Church’s own confession, the words of institution, the writings of the Fathers, and the sober warning of the Apostle Paul.

Summary Confession

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church confesses that in the Divine Liturgy, through the prayer of the priest and the working of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What the Apostles received on the night of Good Thursday, what was sacrificed on the Cross on Good Friday, and what is offered on the altar today in every corner of the world — is one and the same.

“This is My Body... this is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” — Matthew 26:26–28

✝ Holy things unto the holy. One is the Holy Father, One is the Holy Son, One is the Holy Spirit. Amen. ✝