Eucharist

The Eucharist (also called Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper) is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament (a means by which God enacts his grace) in most churches, and as an ordinance (simply demonstrates an adherent's faith) in others.

According to the New Testament, the rite was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper; giving his disciples bread and wine during the Passover meal, Jesus commanded his followers to "do this in memory of me" while referring to the bread as "my body" and the cup of wine as "the new covenant in my blood". Through the Eucharistic celebration Christians remember both Christ's sacrifice of himself on the cross and his commission of the apostles at the Last Supper.

The elements of the Eucharist, bread and wine, are consecrated on an altar and consumed thereafter. Christians generally recognise a special presence of Christ in this rite, though they differ about exactly how, where, and when Christ is present.

Roman Catholics believe that their substances actually become the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation). Reformed Christians believe in a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Others take the act to be only a symbolic reenactment of the Last Supper and a memorial.