In every Orthodox church, on Sunday morning, something wonderful happens. It is the most important and most beautiful thing of all. We call it Holy Communion.
Let us find out what it is.
When the Lord Jesus was on the earth, on the night before He gave His life for us, He gathered His friends together for a special supper. He took bread in His hands, blessed it, and gave it to them, saying, "Take, eat; this is My Body." Then He took a cup of wine, and said, "Drink of it; this is My Blood." And He told them to keep doing this, always, to remember Him.
So that is exactly what we do! At every Divine Liturgy, the priest brings bread and wine to the holy Table. He prays, and the Holy Spirit comes down, and a great wonder takes place: the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It still looks like bread and wine — but now it is so much more. It is Jesus Himself, giving Himself to us.
When it is time, the priest comes out through the Royal Doors holding a beautiful golden cup, called the chalice. Inside is the holy Communion. Everyone comes forward quietly, with their hands folded over their chest like wings, and they wait for their turn.
The priest gently gives each person a little of the holy Gift from a small golden spoon. When you receive it, you receive Jesus right into your heart! It is the greatest gift in all the world — greater than any toy, any treasure, anything you could ever wish for. Through Holy Communion, we become joined to Jesus, and He lives in us, and we become one with Him and with each other.
Because Holy Communion is so very holy, we get ready for it with love. We say our prayers. We try to be kind, and to forgive anyone we are upset with. Many people do not eat breakfast that morning, so that the very first thing to enter them that day is the Lord Himself. And when we are a little older, we go to confession, to say we are sorry for the wrong things we have done, so that our hearts are clean and ready.
After receiving, it is good to be quiet and joyful, and to say "thank You" to God in your heart. For He has just given you the most precious gift there is.
So the next time you are at church and you see the priest come out with the golden chalice, remember what is really happening. Jesus is coming to give Himself to you, out of His great love.
Come forward with joy. Fold your hands like little wings. And receive the greatest gift of all — the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves you more than you could ever know.
Holy Communion, also called the Eucharist (which means "thanksgiving"), is the very heart of the Divine Liturgy. In it we receive the true Body and Blood of Christ, and are joined to Him and to one another.