The Eucharistic Bread
We would like to write to the fathers the priests, and to all the servants, some important remarks about the Eucharistic bread in the Holy Church.
1- It is not permissible to distribute the Eucharistic bread to the believers at the time of their entering the church.
The is that they come to the church fasting, and the Eucharistic bread is distributed to them after the end of the Liturgy. Taking it at the time of allows children sometimes to eat it during the prayer, and some of them advance for Communion.
2- The “Lamb” is the only that enters the sanctuary.
It is not permissible for another to enter it. Thus, it is not correct for a plate of Eucharistic bread to be placed in the sanctuary, nor is it correct for any of the believers to enter carrying a قربانة into the sanctuary, nor is it permissible to carry a during Communion.
3- It is not permissible for the Eucharistic bread to be sold or bought, for it is not a .
It is an offering by which people draw near to God. They used to make it from flour that the believers offered to the church as a قربان to God. And the church used to present it to the people as a blessing, not as a .
4- The Eucharistic bread is made from pure wheat, from unmixed flour.
5- The Eucharistic bread is made by a consecrated servant from the deacons of the church, not any servant, and not any seller.
He prepares it while praying the Psalms and chanting hymns, in reverence and in a holy time. The deacon who makes the Eucharistic bread may also perform any other work of the diaconate, such as visitation, teaching, or social service.
6- In eating the Eucharistic bread, it is broken and eaten, without biting.
Breaking and eating is a more respectful and proper way, more fitting for holy bread.
7- The قربانة is pierced with five holes, which have spiritual symbols:
They represent the nails, the thorns, and the spear by which the body of the Lord Christ was wounded.
Three holes represent the أثر of two nails in the hands and one nail in the feet. One hole represents the wounds of the thorns, and one hole represents the spear thrust in the side of the Lord.
Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Four) 28-1-1977
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