Eucharist - Names

Names

Eucharist: the Greek noun εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), meaning "thanksgiving", is not used in the New Testament as a name for the rite; however, the related verb is found in New Testament texts concerning the Last Supper, including the earliest:

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)

It is the term by which the rite is referred to by the Didache (late 1st or early 2nd century), Ignatius of Antioch (who died between 98 and 117) and Justin Martyr (writing between 147 and 167). Today, "the Eucharist" is the name still used by the Eastern Orthodox, the Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Reformed/Presbyterian, United Methodists, and Lutherans. Other Protestant traditions rarely use this term, preferring either "Communion", "the Lord's Supper", or "the Breaking of Bread".

The Lord's Supper (Κυριακὸν δεῖπνον) is a name used in the early 50s of the first century as witnessed by the First Epistle to the Corinthians (11:20-21):

When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.

Most denominations use the term, but generally not as their basic, routine term. The use is predominant among Baptist groups, who generally avoid using the term "Communion", due to its use (though in a more limited sense) by the Roman Catholic Church. Many evangelical Anglicans often use this term (which is the primary name used in the 1662 rite) rather than "Eucharist".

Communion or Holy Communion, Derived from (from Latin communio, "sharing in common") which translates the Greek κοινωνία (koinōnía) in 1 Corinthians 10:16:

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?.

It is used especially by groups that originated in the Protestant Reformation of the Eucharistic rite as a whole. Others use it of the act of to the partaking of the consecrated bread and wine. In this latter understanding, it is possible to participate in the celebration of the Eucharistic rite without necessarily "receiving Holy Communion".

The Breaking of Bread, The phrase appears four times in the New Testament (Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42, 2:46, 20:7) in contexts in which, according to some, refer to celebration of the Eucharist. It is the term used by the Plymouth Brethren.

Mass This is used in the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Church, some Anglicans (Anglo-Catholicism), the Church of Sweden, the Church of Norway and some other forms of Western Christianity. Among the many other terms used in the Roman Catholic Church are "Holy Mass", "the Memorial of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord", the "Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", and the "Holy Mysteries".

Sacrament: In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the term "The Sacrament" is used of the rite.

The Divine Liturgy: This is used in Byzantine Rite traditions, whether in the Eastern Orthodox Church or among the Eastern Catholic Churches. These also speak of "the Divine Mysteries", especially in reference to the consecrated elements, which they also call "the Holy Gifts".

The Divine Service: This is the title for the liturgy in Lutheran churches and is used by most conservative Lutheran churches to refer to the Eucharist.