Closed communion is the practice of restricting the serving of the elements of Holy Communion (also called Eucharist, The Lord's Supper) to those who are members of a particular church, denomination, sect, or congregation. Though the meaning of the term varies slightly in different Christian theological traditions, it generally means that a church or denomination limits participation either to members of their own church, members of their own denomination, or members of some specific class (e.g., baptized members of evangelical churches). See also intercommunion.
Read more about Closed Communion: Definition, "Close Communion", Supporting Belief, Position of The Roman Catholic Church, Fenced Table, Communion Tokens
Famous quotes containing the words closed and/or communion:
“Pray but one prayer for me ‘twixt thy closed lips,
Think but one thought of me up in the stars.”
—William Morris (1834–1896)
“In compensation for considerable disgust, despondency, and boredom—such as living in solitude without friends, books, duties, or passions necessarily entails—we are given those quarter-hours of deepest communion with ourselves and nature. Those who completely barricade themselves from boredom, barricade themselves from themselves as well: they will never get to drink the most refreshingly potent draught from the their own innermost fountain.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)