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145-583: Christianity in Armenia was first attested to by Roman historian Tertullian during the 2nd century AD. An apocryphal claim within an ancient Greek source claims that the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew introduced Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century AD. Early Greek and Syriac Christian missionaries evangelized Armenians out of the Christian nexus at Caesarea in Cappadocia . Later, Gregory

290-631: A Jewish Christian sect with Hellenistic influence of Second Temple Judaism . An early Jewish Christian community was founded in Jerusalem under the leadership of the Pillars of the Church , namely James the Just , the brother of Jesus, Peter , and John. Jewish Christianity soon attracted Gentile God-fearers, posing a problem for its Jewish religious outlook , which insisted on close observance of

435-666: A monstrance . Rites involving the exposure of the Blessed Sacrament include Benediction and eucharistic adoration . According to Catholic theology , the host, after the Rite of Consecration, is no longer bread, but is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Catholics believe that Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God prefigured in the Old Testament Passover . The flesh of that Passover sacrificial lamb

580-441: A screen or balustrade , is elevated above the nave. The altar is located on a platform called the hem or hema . A centrally located ciborium may cover the altar under the dome; altar is more typically closer to the eastern wall. The choir is found within the sanctuary. Tabernacles containing the reserved sacrament –the consecrated Eucharist–are common to both Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic churches. The tabernacle

725-446: A shapik or shapig and a pectoral stole ( porurar ) under a chasuble resembling a hoodless cope ( shurtshar ). Armenian Catholics sometimes replace the shapik with an alb. A amice known as a vakas (also varkas and vagas ) forms a high collar and is worn over the cope alongside a goti girdle and hazpan (also pazpan ) forearm maniples . The vakas often features repoussé metalwork . Among non-Catholic Armenian clergy,

870-466: A vartapet has the authority to preach. During times outside liturgies, vartapets and bishops wear black cassocks . A black, pointed piece of headwear is worn with this cassock during recitation of the daily offices but not during eucharistic liturgies. Married priests, known as derders , wear a blue cassock, black mantle ( verarkou ), and blue turban as their standard habit . During processions , an Armenian Apostolic hierarch follows clergy who carry

1015-663: A central issue in the discussions and deliberations of the ecumenical movement." The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language and the Greek noun εὐχαριστία ( eucharistia ), meaning "thanksgiving", appears a few times in it, while the related Greek verb εὐχαριστήσας is found several times in New Testament accounts of the Last Supper, including the earliest such account: For I received from

1160-497: A change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation ." The church holds that the body and blood of Jesus can no longer be truly separated. Where one is, the other must be. Therefore, although the priest (or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion ) says "The Body of Christ" when administering

1305-542: A few scriptures overlapping with the developing orthodox canon, most Gnostic texts and Gnostic gospels were eventually considered heretical and suppressed by mainstream Christians. A gradual splitting off of Gentile Christianity left Jewish Christians continuing to follow the Law of Moses , including practices such as circumcision. By the fifth century, they and the Jewish–Christian gospels would be largely suppressed by

1450-509: A grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession." Since the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ, "the worship due to the sacrament of the Eucharist, whether during the celebration of the Mass or outside it, is the worship of latria , that is, the adoration given to God alone."" The Blessed Sacrament can be exposed (displayed) on an altar in

1595-548: A liturgy with six deacons. Among Armenian Apostolic bishops, the episcopal ring on the right little finger with the exception of the Catholicos, who uses the ring finger ; Armenian Catholic bishops follow the Latin norms for rings. Celibate clergy with the title of vardapet (also vartapet , meaning "doctor" or "teacher") may carry a staff similar to Aaron's rod with a T-shape and snake heads. The staff indicates that

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1740-505: A new church is begun, the stone crosses that will be the church's foundation are washed with water and wine before being consecrated with myron . These elements are then wrapped in a white cloth and laid in the foundation. Both the primary altar stone ( vemkar ) and twelve wall crosses are blessed with myron once the church is consecrated. Latinizations are common in both the Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic usage of

1885-579: A rarity among Eastern Christian liturgies. An early recension of the Basilian anaphora from the survives in the historical record in an Armenian text, where it is described as coming from Gregory the Illuminator. This and other anaphoras were replaced in Armenian usage by a Cappadocian Greek anaphora attributed to Athanasius of Alexandria , among several translated by Catholicos John Mandakuni in

2030-523: A small scale by both Jewish and Roman authorities , with Roman action starting at the time of the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. Examples of early executions under Jewish authority reported in the New Testament include the deaths of Saint Stephen and James, son of Zebedee . The Decian persecution was the first empire-wide conflict, when the edict of Decius in 250 AD required everyone in

2175-580: Is a word that sometimes means Easter, sometimes Passover.) In the Eucharist the same sacrifice that Jesus made only once on the cross is believed to be made present at every Mass. According to Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church , "The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus which he instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout

2320-525: Is also used by Presbyterians , Methodists , and Congregationalists . This particular creed was developed between the 2nd and 9th centuries. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator . Each of the doctrines found in this creed can be traced to statements current in the apostolic period . The creed was apparently used as a summary of Christian doctrine for baptismal candidates in

2465-516: Is any real change in the elements used, recognize a special presence of Christ in this rite. However, Christians differ about exactly how, where and how long Christ is present in it. Catholicism , Eastern Orthodoxy , Oriental Orthodoxy , and the Church of the East teach that the reality (the "substance") of the elements of bread and wine is wholly changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, while

2610-467: Is digested, physically destroyed, or decays by some natural process (at which point, theologian Thomas Aquinas argued, the substance of the bread and wine cannot return). The Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215 spoke of the bread and wine as "transubstantiated" into the body and blood of Christ: "His body and blood are truly contained in the sacrament of the altar under the forms of bread and wine,

2755-699: Is found in the First Epistle to the Corinthians , which suggests how early Christians celebrated what Paul the Apostle called the Lord's Supper. Although the Gospel of John does not reference the Last Supper explicitly, some argue that it contains theological allusions to the early Christian celebration of the Eucharist, especially in the chapter 6 Bread of Life Discourse but also in other passages. In

2900-403: 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? The phrase κλάσις τοῦ ἄρτου ( klasis tou artou , 'breaking of the bread'; in later liturgical Greek also ἀρτοκλασία artoklasia ) appears in various related forms five times in the New Testament in contexts which, according to some, may refer to the celebration of

3045-416: Is located near a table to the church's north ( prothesis ) where the sacramental bread and wine are prepared except when this preparation occurs on the altar. Lamps are found burning near every altar, of which there are generally two simpler ones on facing walls. The liturgical vessels and myron are stored in a cupboard adjacent to the altar. A curtain known as a varakoyr is strung from wires in front of

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3190-540: Is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" The Greek word used in the passage for 'remembrance' is ἀνάμνησιν ( anamnesis ), which itself has a much richer theological history than the English word "remember". The expression "The Lord's Supper", derived from Paul 's usage in 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, may have originally referred to the Agape feast (or love feast), the shared communal meal with which

3335-447: Is official as they prefer to leave it a mystery. Lutherans believe Christ to be "truly and substantially present" with the bread and wine that are seen in the Eucharist, in a manner referred to as the sacramental union . They attribute the real presence of Jesus' living body to his word spoken in the Eucharist, and not to the faith of those receiving it. They also believe that "forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation" are given through

3480-549: Is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever you do, you may do it according to [the will of] God. Justin Martyr (born c.  100 , died c.  165 ) mentions in this regard: And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with

3625-567: Is received by the faithful only in a heavenly and spiritual manner, a doctrine also taught in the Methodist Articles of Religion . Christians adhering to the theology of Memorialism , such as the Anabaptist Churches , do not believe in the concept of the real presence, believing that the Eucharist is only a ceremonial remembrance or memorial of the death of Christ. The Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry document of

3770-430: Is recorded in the canonical gospels, although infancy gospels were popular in antiquity. In comparison, his adulthood, especially the week before his death, is well documented in the gospels contained within the New Testament , because that part of his life is believed to be most important. The biblical accounts of Jesus's ministry include: his baptism , miracles , preaching, teaching, and deeds. Christians consider

3915-484: Is salvific. The concept of the Jews both destroying and partaking in some perverted version of the Eucharist has been a vessel to promote anti-Judaism and anti-Jewish ideology and violence. In medieval times, Jews were often depicted stabbing or in some other way physically harming communion wafers. These characterizations drew parallels to the idea that the Jews killed Christ; murdering this transubstantiation or "host"

4060-752: Is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will ultimately return to fulfill the rest of the Messianic prophecy , including the resurrection of the dead , the Last Judgment , and the final establishment of the Kingdom of God . According to the canonical gospels of Matthew and Luke , Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary . Little of Jesus's childhood

4205-456: Is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. Paschasius Radbertus (785–865) was a Carolingian theologian, and the abbot of Corbie , whose best-known and influential work is an exposition on the nature of the Eucharist written around 831, entitled De Corpore et Sanguine Domini . In it, Paschasius agrees with St Ambrose in affirming that the Eucharist contains the true, historical body of Jesus Christ. According to Paschasius, God

4350-637: Is the name still used by Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox , Catholics , Anglicans , Presbyterians , and Lutherans . Other Protestant denominations rarely use this term, preferring "Communion", "the Lord's Supper", "Remembrance", or "the Breaking of Bread". Latter-day Saints call it " the Sacrament ". In the First Epistle to the Corinthians Paul uses the term "Lord's Supper", in Greek Κυριακὸν δεῖπνον ( Kyriakon deipnon ), in

4495-576: Is the same Christ, really present under the species of bread and wine, who is the offering of the Eucharistic sacrifice." According to the Catholic Church Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a true, real and substantial way, with his body, blood, soul and divinity. By the consecration , the substances of the bread and wine actually become the substances of the body and blood of Christ ( transubstantiation ) while

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4640-458: Is truth itself, and therefore, his words and actions must be true. Christ's proclamation at the Last Supper that the bread and wine were his body and blood must be taken literally, since God is truth. He thus believes that the transubstantiation of the bread and wine offered in the Eucharist really occurs. Only if the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ can a Christian know it

4785-709: The Armenian alphabet around 405, the Bible, Divine Liturgy , and other texts were soon translated from the Greek by a group known as the Holy Translator Doctors . Both Mesrop and Isaac of Armenia , a later Catholicos , further expanded the role of monastics following the Basilian monks . The period between the 11th and 14th centuries saw liturgical latinisation of the Armenian Rite. Following

4930-756: The Armenian diaspora , particularly in the Middle East and Western world , further complicate the linguistic situation. The Khorhurt'ater (also Badarakamadûitz ; "Book of the Liturgy" or "Book of the Sacrament"), the Mashtots ("Book of Rituals"), the Sharakan ("Book of Hymns"), the Jhamakirk ' ( book of hours ), and the Casoc (also Djachotz ; lectionary ) comprise the primary liturgical books of

5075-530: The Bagratuni dynasty 's collapse in 1045, fleeing Armenians established a new kingdom around Cilicia and Cappadocia . Armenian Christians began interacting with Latin Crusaders after the establishment of the Armenian see at Cilicia in the 12th century. The Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Rite is referred to as the "Liturgy of our Blessed Father the holy Gregory the Illuminator, revised and augmented by

5220-521: The Bible and sacred traditions on which Christianity is based. Concise doctrinal statements or confessions of religious beliefs are known as creeds . They began as baptismal formulae and were later expanded during the Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries to become statements of faith. " Jesus is Lord " is the earliest creed of Christianity and continues to be used, as with

5365-526: The Blessed Sacrament or the Lord's Supper , is a Christian rite , considered a sacrament in most churches and an ordinance in others. Christians believe that the rite was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper , the night before his crucifixion , giving his disciples bread and wine. Passages in the New Testament state that he commanded them to "do this in memory of me" while referring to

5510-716: The Carolingian Renaissance of the 9th century. In the 7th century, Muslims conquered Syria (including Jerusalem ), North Africa, and Spain, converting some of the Christian population to Islam , including some of the Christian populations in pre-Islamic Arabia , and placing the rest under a separate legal status . Part of the Muslims' success was due to the exhaustion of the Byzantine Empire in its decades long conflict with Persia . Beginning in

5655-627: The Celtic , the Baltic and some Slavic peoples . Around 500, Christianity was thoroughly integrated into Byzantine and Kingdom of Italy culture and Benedict of Nursia set out his Monastic Rule , establishing a system of regulations for the foundation and running of monasteries . Monasticism became a powerful force throughout Europe, and gave rise to many early centers of learning, most famously in Ireland , Scotland , and Gaul , contributing to

5800-530: The Church of the East (600,000). Smaller church communities number in the thousands despite efforts toward unity ( ecumenism ). In the West , Christianity remains the dominant religion even with a decline in adherence , with about 70% of that population identifying as Christian. Christianity is growing in Africa and Asia, the world's most populous continents. Christians remain greatly persecuted in many regions of

5945-805: 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 term Divine Service ( German : Gottesdienst ) has often been used to refer to Christian worship more generally and is still used in Lutheran churches , in addition to the terms "Eucharist", "Mass" and "Holy Communion". Historically this refers (like

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6090-520: The Edict of Worms condemned and excommunicated Luther and his followers, resulting in the schism of the Western Christendom into several branches. Other reformers like Zwingli , Oecolampadius , Calvin , Knox , and Arminius further criticized Catholic teaching and worship. These challenges developed into the movement called Protestantism , which repudiated the primacy of the pope ,

6235-745: The Inquisition , were established with the aim of suppressing heresy and securing religious and doctrinal unity within Christianity through conversion and prosecution. The 15th-century Renaissance brought about a renewed interest in ancient and classical learning. During the Reformation , Martin Luther posted the Ninety-five Theses 1517 against the sale of indulgences . Printed copies soon spread throughout Europe. In 1521

6380-695: The Liturgy of Saint James and Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom . Celebration of the Divine Liturgy is generally reserved to only Saturdays, Sundays, and great feasts; during Lent , celebrating the Divine Liturgy is relegated solely to Saturdays and Sundays. Historically, there were at least ten anaphora used within the Armenian Rite, as well as a Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts . Presently, only one anaphora–the Patarag –remains in use,

6525-413: The Magisterial Reformation as corrupted. Their activity brought about the Radical Reformation , which gave birth to various Anabaptist denominations. Partly in response to the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church engaged in a substantial process of reform and renewal, known as the Counter-Reformation or Catholic Reform. The Council of Trent clarified and reasserted Catholic doctrine. During

6670-435: The New Testament . It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with over 2.4 billion followers, comprising around 31.2% of the world population . Its adherents, known as Christians , are estimated to make up a majority of the population in 157 countries and territories . Christianity remains culturally diverse in its Western and Eastern branches , and doctrinally diverse concerning justification and

6815-420: The Old Testament . The Christian concept of messiah differs significantly from the contemporary Jewish concept . The core Christian belief is that through belief in and acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus , sinful humans can be reconciled to God, and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life . While there have been many theological disputes over the nature of Jesus over

6960-462: The Oriental Orthodox , taught Christ "to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably": one divine and one human, and that both natures, while perfect in themselves, are nevertheless also perfectly united into one person . The Athanasian Creed , received in the Western Church as having the same status as the Nicene and Chalcedonian, says: "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding

7105-511: The Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist . According to the Catholic Church doctrine receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is a sacrilege and only those who are in a state of grace, that is, without any mortal sin, can receive it. Based on 1 Corinthians 11:27–29, it affirms the following: "Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution , unless he has

7250-443: The Restoration Movement , such as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) , the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada , and the Churches of Christ . The central tenet of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (Christ). Christians believe that Jesus, as the Messiah, was anointed by God as savior of humanity and hold that Jesus's coming was the fulfillment of messianic prophecies of

7395-479: The Roman Empire by the Edict of Milan (313), later convening the Council of Nicaea (325) where Early Christianity was consolidated into what would become the state religion of the Roman Empire (380). The Church of the East and Oriental Orthodoxy both split over differences in Christology (5th century), while the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church separated in the East–West Schism (1054). Protestantism split into numerous denominations from

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7540-485: The State church of the Roman Empire . As soon as it became connected to the state, Christianity grew wealthy; the Church solicited donations from the rich and could now own land. Constantine was also instrumental in the convocation of the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which sought to address Arianism and formulated the Nicene Creed, which is still used by in Catholicism , Eastern Orthodoxy , Lutheranism , Anglicanism , and many other Protestant churches. Nicaea

7685-446: The World Council of Churches , attempting to present the common understanding of the Eucharist on the part of the generality of Christians, describes it as "essentially the sacrament of the gift which God makes to us in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit", "Thanksgiving to the Father", "Anamnesis or Memorial of Christ", "the sacrament of the unique sacrifice of Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us", "the sacrament of

7830-422: The World Council of Churches . The Apostles' Creed is the most widely accepted statement of the articles of Christian faith. It is used by a number of Christian denominations for both liturgical and catechetical purposes, most visibly by liturgical churches of Western Christian tradition, including the Latin Church of the Catholic Church , Lutheranism , Anglicanism , and Western Rite Orthodoxy . It

7975-486: The dechristianization of France during the French Revolution , the Spanish Civil War , and certain Marxist movements, especially the Russian Revolution and the persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union under state atheism . Especially pressing in Europe was the formation of nation states after the Napoleonic era . In all European countries, different Christian denominations found themselves in competition to greater or lesser extents with each other and with

8120-498: The state religion in Armenia in the early 4th century AD, making Armenia the first officially Christian state. It was not an entirely new religion in Armenia, having penetrated into the country from at least the third century, but it may have been present even earlier. Constantine I was exposed to Christianity in his youth, and throughout his life his support for the religion grew, culminating in baptism on his deathbed. During his reign, state-sanctioned persecution of Christians

8265-417: The vakas is considered more analogous with the humeral veil . Deacons wear colored, wide-sleeved shapiks without girdles and a stole ( urar ) from the shoulders. Liturgical colors are not a feature of the Armenian Rite, though black may be worn at funerals. More latterly, deacons and members of the minor orders began wearing capes embroidered with crosses in the place of the vakas , though this custom

8410-515: The 5th century AD onwards) by Jerusalemites , then by the Byzantine Rite (from circa the 10th century) and later by the Latin liturgical rites . The Armenians are the only liturgical tradition using wine without added water. The Armenian Rite uses the unleavened bread for the Eucharist, part of their historic tradition. A 10th-century text by Gregory of Narek , The Book of Lamentations , contains prayers that Armenian Christians believe can cure disease. These prayers are "psalmodized" and read over

8555-444: The 5th century. By the mid-10th century, it is likely that Mandakuni's translated anaphora was the sole anaphora in use. The anaphora's attribution to Athanasius might explain why a 1314 Lyonese codex containing the Armenian Divine Liturgy is entitled the Missale Sancti Athanasii . The order of the Armenian celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Eucharist is initially influenced by the Syriac and Cappadocian Christians, then (from

8700-415: The 6th century AD. These new universities expanded the curriculum to include academic programs for clerics, lawyers, civil servants, and physicians. The university is generally regarded as an institution that has its origin in the Medieval Christian setting. Accompanying the rise of the "new towns" throughout Europe, mendicant orders were founded, bringing the consecrated religious life out of

8845-501: The 8th century, with the rise of Carolingian leaders, the Papacy sought greater political support in the Frankish Kingdom . The Middle Ages brought about major changes within the church. Pope Gregory the Great dramatically reformed the ecclesiastical structure and administration. In the early 8th century, iconoclasm became a divisive issue, when it was sponsored by the Byzantine emperors. The Second Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (787) finally pronounced in favor of icons. In

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8990-415: The Armenian Apostolic Church every seven years. The process of producing myron begins 40 days prior to being blessed, starting as pure olive oil mixed with more than 40 flowers, herbs, and spices. Once sealed in a cauldron, the mixture is boiled for two days and with attendants stirring to prevent burning. Afterwards, the oil is strained and previously blessed chrism and additional flowers are added. During

9135-407: The Armenian Rite. Armenian churches are typified by a rectangular design with a central dome possessing a conical roof. Attwater described the interior of Armenian Catholic churches as "almost indistinguishable" from Latin church buildings in 1937. The common interior elements of a church built for Armenian Rite worship are a vestibule , nave , chancel , and sanctuary . The chancel, partitioned by

9280-401: The Armenian Rite. Among those shared by both groups are the adoption of benediction , confessionals , holy water , the Stations of the Cross , and the rosary . The 1911 Armenian Catholic synod in Rome emphasized that these Latin interpolations were part of the liturgy and should be conformed to Armenian forms. During liturgies, priests and bishops each wear an alb -like vestment known as

9425-509: The Armenian language reinforced an Armenian cultural identity and vice versa . Efforts by clergy in the Armenian Apostolic Church in the 18th century prevented the Armenian language from becoming solely a liturgical language like Coptic and Ge'ez . The modern Armenian language is colloquially used presently, meaning that while Classical Armenian ( Grabar ) remains in use within Armenian Rite liturgies, most faithful do not understand it. Eastern vs Western Armenian differences throughout

9570-418: The Armenians enjoyed, with Basil of Caesarea protesting these challenges. There is no evidence that Armenia ever formally broke from Caesarea during this period. Basil significantly influenced Armenian Christianity, with monasticism–particularly cenobitic monasticism –enjoying growth. The 5th century was one of significant upheaval in Armenia and the Christian hierarchy there. After Mesrop Mashtots invented

9715-415: The Byzantine Emperor Alexios I for aid against Turkish expansion. The Crusades ultimately failed to stifle Islamic aggression and even contributed to Christian enmity with the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade . The Christian Church experienced internal conflict between the 7th and 13th centuries that resulted in a schism between the Latin Church of Western Christianity branch,

9860-657: The Catholic Church in the Reformation era (16th century). Following the Age of Discovery (15th–17th century), Christianity expanded throughout the world via missionary work , evangelism , immigration and extensive trade. Christianity played a prominent role in the development of Western civilization , particularly in Europe from late antiquity and the Middle Ages . The six major branches of Christianity are Roman Catholicism (1.3 billion people), Protestantism (625 million-900 million), Eastern Orthodoxy (230 million), Oriental Orthodoxy (60 million), Restorationism (35 million), and

10005-434: The Catholic Church the Eucharist is considered as a sacrament , according to the church the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life". "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." ("Pasch"

10150-494: The Catholic Church, do not formally use this term for the rite, but instead mean by it the act of partaking of the consecrated elements; they speak of receiving Holy Communion at Mass or outside of it, they also use the term First Communion when one receives the Eucharist for the first time. The term Communion is derived from Latin communio ("sharing in common"), translated from the Greek κοινωνία ( koinōnía ) in 1 Corinthians 10:16: The cup of blessing which we bless,

10295-414: The Eucharist are considered as one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." In the holy sacrifice of the Mass, "it is Christ himself, the eternal high priest of the New Covenant who, acting through the ministry of the priests, offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. And it

10440-515: The Eucharist was originally associated. The Agape feast is mentioned in Jude 12 but "The Lord's Supper" is now commonly used in reference to a celebration involving no food other than the sacramental bread and wine. The Didache (Greek: Διδαχή , "teaching") is an Early Church treatise that includes instructions for baptism and the Eucharist. Most scholars date it to the late 1st century, and distinguish in it two separate Eucharistic traditions,

10585-556: The Eucharist, in either closer or symbolically more distant reference to the Last Supper. This term is used by the Plymouth Brethren . The " Blessed Sacrament ", the "Sacrament of the Altar", and other variations, are common terms used by Catholics, Lutherans and some Anglicans ( Anglo-Catholics ) for the consecrated elements, particularly when reserved in a tabernacle . In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

10730-472: The Host and "The Blood of Christ" when presenting the chalice, the communicant who receives either one receives Christ, whole and entire. "Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ." The Catholic Church sees as the main basis for this belief the words of Jesus himself at his Last Supper:

10875-516: The Illuminator launched a program of evangelization in Armenia that included the conversion of the king, Tiridates III . Gregory subordinated Armenian Christianity under the see of Caesarea in the early 4th century. The subordination to Caesarea placed Armenian Christians under the authority of the Patriarch of Antioch . During the 4th century, there were debates regarding the level autonomy that

11020-574: The Jewish commandments. Paul the Apostle solved this by insisting that salvation by faith in Christ , and participation in his death and resurrection by their baptism, sufficed. At first he persecuted the early Christians, but after a conversion experience he preached to the gentiles , and is regarded as having had a formative effect on the emerging Christian identity as separate from Judaism. Eventually, his departure from Jewish customs would result in

11165-603: 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 ( εὐχαριστήσας ), he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me". The term eucharistia (thanksgiving) is that by which the rite is referred to in the Didache (a late 1st or early 2nd century document), by Ignatius of Antioch (who died between 98 and 117) and by Justin Martyr ( First Apology written between 155 and 157). Today, "the Eucharist"

11310-599: The Netherlands and Frisia . Ultimately, these differences led to the outbreak of conflicts in which religion played a key factor. The Thirty Years' War , the English Civil War , and the French Wars of Religion are prominent examples. These events intensified the Christian debate on persecution and toleration . In the revival of neoplatonism Renaissance humanists did not reject Christianity; quite

11455-638: The Persons nor dividing the Substance ". Most Christians ( Catholic , Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox , and Protestant alike) accept the use of creeds and subscribe to at least one of the creeds mentioned above. Certain Evangelical Protestants , though not all of them, reject creeds as definitive statements of faith, even while agreeing with some or all of the substance of the creeds. Also rejecting creeds are groups with roots in

11600-645: The Republic of Ireland, and Switzerland, all countries with competing denominations. Competition is found in Germany, the Netherlands, and again Switzerland, all countries with minority Catholic populations, which to a greater or lesser extent identified with the nation. Finally, separation between religion (again, specifically Catholicism) and the state is found to a great degree in France and Italy, countries where

11745-611: The Roman Empire (except Jews) to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods. The Diocletianic Persecution beginning in 303 AD was also particularly severe. Roman persecution ended in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan . While Proto-orthodox Christianity was becoming dominant, heterodox sects also existed at the same time, which held radically different beliefs. Gnostic Christianity developed a duotheistic doctrine based on illusion and enlightenment rather than forgiveness of sin. With only

11890-688: The West , the papacy became a political player, first visible in Pope Leo 's diplomatic dealings with Huns and Vandals . The church also entered into a long period of missionary activity and expansion among the various tribes. While Arianists instituted the death penalty for practicing pagans (see the Massacre of Verden , for example), Catholicism also spread among the Hungarians , the Germanic ,

12035-847: The West during this period was enormous and of long-lasting significance. The later rise of Islam in North Africa reduced the size and numbers of Christian congregations, leaving in large numbers only the Coptic Church in Egypt, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the Horn of Africa and the Nubian Church in the Sudan (Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia). With the decline and fall of the Roman Empire in

12180-408: The ages until his return in glory." "When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. [...] The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the same and only sacrifice offered once for all on the cross" The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of

12325-779: The altar. During Lent, a picture of the Crucifixion is located in front of this curtain. God Schools Relations with: Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, professing that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is the Son of God , whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (called the Old Testament in Christianity) and chronicled in

12470-413: The appearances (the "species") remain. Transubstantiation ("change of the substance") is the term used by Catholics to denote what is changed, not to explain how the change occurs, since the Catholic Church teaches that "the signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding , the Body and Blood of Christ". The Orthodox use various terms such as transelementation, but no explanation

12615-468: The appearances or "species" of the bread and wine remain unaltered (e.g. colour, taste, feel, and smell). This change is brought about in the eucharistic prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit. The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist, that is, until the Eucharist

12760-503: The archiepiscopal cross, crozier, and vartapet ' s staff. The trailing hierarch carries a staff which includes heraldry from their diocese. Armenian Christian liturgies were initially celebrated in Greek and Syriac . However, in order to the facilitate the evangelization of all Armenians, the 5th-century Armenian church hierarchy considered the use of the vernacular necessary. The Bible, liturgies, and hymns were subsequently translated into Armenian. The ecclesiastical approbation of

12905-575: The biblical text, "Lord's Supper" came into use after the Protestant Reformation and remains the predominant term among Evangelicals , such as Baptists and Pentecostals . They also refer to the observance as an ordinance rather than a sacrament. Use of the term Communion (or Holy Communion ) to refer to the Eucharistic rite began by some groups originating in the Protestant Reformation . Others, such as

13050-408: The blessing rite, which can run four hours and draws pilgrims from around the world, portions of The Book of Lamentations are recited. Once the myron is blessed, it is distributed to Armenian Apostolic bishops as a symbol of communion with the Catholicos. It is used in baptism and chrismation and to bless catholicoi, clergy, churches, altars, and all liturgical objects. When the construction of

13195-587: The body and blood of Christ, the sacrament of his real presence ", "Invocation of the Spirit", "Communion of the Faithful", and "Meal of the Kingdom". Many Christian denominations classify the Eucharist as a sacrament . Some Protestants (though not all) prefer to instead call it an ordinance , viewing it not as a specific channel of divine grace but as an expression of faith and of obedience to Christ. In

13340-475: The bread and wine having been transubstantiated, by God's power, into his body and blood". In 1551, the Council of Trent definitively declared: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place

13485-429: The bread as "my body" and the cup of wine as "the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many". According to the synoptic Gospels this was at a Passover meal. The elements of the Eucharist, bread , either leavened or unleavened , and wine (non-alcoholic grape juice in some Protestant traditions), are consecrated on an altar or a communion table and consumed thereafter. The consecrated elements are

13630-712: The bread was broken. In the one prayer given to posterity by Jesus, the Lord's Prayer , the word epiousion —which is otherwise unknown in Classical Greek literature—was interpreted by some early Christian writers as meaning "super-substantial", and hence a possible reference to the Eucharist as the Bread of Life . In the Gospel of John, however, the account of the Last Supper does not mention Jesus taking bread and "the cup" and speaking of them as his body and blood; instead, it recounts other events: his humble act of washing

13775-532: The churches of Rome. Its points include: The Nicene Creed was formulated, largely in response to Arianism , at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople in 325 and 381 respectively, and ratified as the universal creed of Christendom by the First Council of Ephesus in 431. The Chalcedonian Definition , or Creed of Chalcedon, developed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, though rejected by

13920-459: The congregation is sent out to serve Christ. At least in the Catholic Church, the Mass is a long rite in two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist . The former consists of readings from the Bible and a homily , or sermon, given by a priest or deacon. The latter, which follows seamlessly, includes the " Offering " of the bread and wine at the altar, their consecration by

14065-701: The contrary, many of the greatest works of the Renaissance were devoted to it, and the Catholic Church patronized many works of Renaissance art . Much, if not most, of the new art was commissioned by or in dedication to the Church. Some scholars and historians attribute Christianity to having contributed to the rise of the Scientific Revolution . Many well-known historical figures who influenced Western science considered themselves Christian such as Nicolaus Copernicus , Galileo Galilei , Johannes Kepler , Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle . In

14210-508: The decisions, and the two principal churches remain in schism to the present day. However, the Catholic Church has achieved union with various smaller eastern churches . In the thirteenth century, a new emphasis on Jesus' suffering, exemplified by the Franciscans' preaching, had the consequence of turning worshippers' attention towards Jews, on whom Christians had placed the blame for Jesus' death . Christianity's limited tolerance of Jews

14355-471: The disciples' feet, the prophecy of the betrayal, which set in motion the events that would lead to the cross, and his long discourse in response to some questions posed by his followers, in which he went on to speak of the importance of the unity of the disciples with him, with each other, and with God. Some would find in this unity and in the washing of the feet the deeper meaning of the Communion bread in

14500-704: The division caused by the Reformation led to outbreaks of religious violence and the establishment of separate state churches in Europe. Lutheranism spread into the northern, central, and eastern parts of present-day Germany, Livonia , and Scandinavia. Anglicanism was established in England in 1534. Calvinism and its varieties, such as Presbyterianism , were introduced in Scotland, the Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland, and France. Arminianism gained followers in

14645-603: The dominant sects in both Judaism and Christianity. Christianity spread to Aramaic -speaking peoples along the Mediterranean coast and also to the inland parts of the Roman Empire and beyond that into the Parthian Empire and the later Sasanian Empire , including Mesopotamia , which was dominated at different times and to varying extents by these empires. The presence of Christianity in Africa began in

14790-474: The earlier tradition in chapter 10 and the later one preceding it in chapter 9. The Eucharist is mentioned again in chapter 14. Ignatius of Antioch (born c.  35 or 50 , died between 98 and 117), one of the Apostolic Fathers, mentions the Eucharist as "the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ": They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be

14935-400: The earliest centuries of Christian history, generally, Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate and " true God and true man " (or both fully divine and fully human). Jesus, having become fully human , suffered the pains and temptations of a mortal man, but did not sin . As fully God, he rose to life again. According to the New Testament , he rose from the dead, ascended to heaven,

15080-533: The early 10th century, Western Christian monasticism was further rejuvenated through the leadership of the great Benedictine monastery of Cluny . In the West, from the 11th century onward, some older cathedral schools became universities (see, for example, University of Oxford , University of Paris and University of Bologna ). Previously, higher education had been the domain of Christian cathedral schools or monastic schools ( Scholae monasticae ), led by monks and nuns . Evidence of such schools dates back to

15225-609: The early 50s of the 1st century: 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. So Paul's use of the term "Lord's Supper" in reference to the Corinthian banquet is powerful and interesting; but to be an actual name for the Christian meal, rather than a meaningful phrase connected with an ephemeral rhetorical contrast, it would have to have some history, previous or subsequent. Nevertheless, given its existence in

15370-702: The early Christian tradition, with the Old Testament as the gospels' respected background. Christianity began in the 1st century , after the death of Jesus, as a Judaic sect with Hellenistic influence in the Roman province of Judaea . The disciples of Jesus spread their faith around the Eastern Mediterranean area, despite significant persecution . The inclusion of Gentiles led Christianity to slowly separate from Judaism (2nd century). Emperor Constantine I decriminalized Christianity in

15515-473: The end product of the Eucharistic Prayer . Christians generally recognize a special presence of Christ in this rite, though they differ about exactly how, where, and when Christ is present. The Catholic Church states that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ under the species of bread and wine. It maintains that by the consecration, the substances of the bread and wine actually become

15660-525: The era known as the Great Divergence , when in the West, the Age of Enlightenment and the scientific revolution brought about great societal changes, Christianity was confronted with various forms of skepticism and with certain modern political ideologies , such as versions of socialism and liberalism . Events ranged from mere anti-clericalism to violent outbursts against Christianity, such as

15805-670: The establishment of Christianity as an independent religion. This formative period was followed by the early bishops , whom Christians consider the successors of Christ's apostles . From the year 150, Christian teachers began to produce theological and apologetic works aimed at defending the faith. These authors are known as the Church Fathers , and the study of them is called patristics . Notable early Fathers include Ignatius of Antioch , Polycarp , Justin Martyr , Irenaeus , Tertullian , Clement of Alexandria and Origen . Persecution of Christians occurred intermittently and on

15950-420: The flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again. [...] Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Take heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to [show forth ] the unity of His blood; one altar; as there

16095-580: The following centuries, competition between Catholicism and Protestantism became deeply entangled with political struggles among European states. Meanwhile, the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 brought about a new wave of missionary activity. Partly from missionary zeal, but under the impetus of colonial expansion by the European powers, Christianity spread to the Americas, Oceania, East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout Europe,

16240-461: The forms of the bread and wine, known as the sacramental union . Reformed Christians believe in a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Anglican eucharistic theologies universally affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist , though Evangelical Anglicans believe that this is a spiritual presence, while Anglo-Catholics hold to a corporeal presence. As a result of these different understandings, "the Eucharist has been

16385-455: The holy patriarchs and teachers Isaac, Mesrop, Kud, and John Mantakuni", though Donald Attwater described these ascriptions as "patriotic flourishes". It is derived from the Liturgy of Saint Basil and has seen substantial influences from the Byzantine , Syriac , and Latin rites. The Armenian eucharistic liturgy, with its substantial interpolations, has also been identified as a blending of

16530-730: The last century have been significant, since 1900, Christianity has spread rapidly in the Global South and Third World countries. The late 20th century has shown the shift of Christian adherence to the Third World and the Southern Hemisphere in general, with the West no longer the chief standard bearer of Christianity. Approximately 7 to 10% of Arabs are Christians , most prevalent in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon . While Christians worldwide share basic convictions, there are differences of interpretations and opinions of

16675-663: The middle of the 1st century in Egypt and by the end of the 2nd century in the region around Carthage . Mark the Evangelist is claimed to have started the Church of Alexandria in about 43 AD; various later churches claim this as their own legacy, including the Coptic Orthodox Church . Important Africans who influenced the early development of Christianity include Tertullian , Clement of Alexandria , Origen of Alexandria , Cyprian , Athanasius , and Augustine of Hippo . King Tiridates III made Christianity

16820-695: The monastery and into the new urban setting. The two principal mendicant movements were the Franciscans and the Dominicans , founded by Francis of Assisi and Dominic , respectively. Both orders made significant contributions to the development of the great universities of Europe. Another new order was the Cistercians , whose large, isolated monasteries spearheaded the settlement of former wilderness areas. In this period, church building and ecclesiastical architecture reached new heights, culminating in

16965-588: The nature of salvation , ecclesiology , ordination , and Christology . The creeds of various Christian denominations generally hold in common Jesus as the Son of God —the Logos incarnated —who ministered , suffered , and died on a cross , but rose from the dead for the salvation of humankind; and referred to as the gospel , meaning the "good news". The four canonical gospels of Matthew , Mark , Luke and John describe Jesus's life and teachings as preserved in

17110-490: The now-Catholic Church, and an Eastern , largely Greek, branch (the Eastern Orthodox Church ). The two sides disagreed on a number of administrative, liturgical and doctrinal issues, most prominently Eastern Orthodox opposition to papal supremacy . The Second Council of Lyon (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) attempted to reunite the churches, but in both cases, the Eastern Orthodox refused to implement

17255-571: The orders of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and the building of the great European cathedrals. Christian nationalism emerged during this era in which Christians felt the desire to recover lands in which Christianity had historically flourished. From 1095 under the pontificate of Urban II , the First Crusade was launched. These were a series of military campaigns in the Holy Land and elsewhere, initiated in response to pleas from

17400-401: The other three Gospels. In John 6:26–65, a long discourse is attributed to Jesus that deals with the subject of the living bread; John 6:51–59 also contains echoes of Eucharistic language. 1 Corinthians 11:23–25 gives the earliest recorded description of Jesus' Last Supper: "The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This

17545-652: The papacy. This conflict came to a head in the First Vatican Council , and in Germany would lead directly to the Kulturkampf . Christian commitment in Europe dropped as modernity and secularism came into their own, particularly in the Czech Republic and Estonia , while religious commitments in America have been generally high in comparison to Europe. Changes in worldwide Christianity over

17690-402: The peaks in Christian history and Christian civilization , and Constantinople remained the leading city of the Christian world in size, wealth, and culture. There was a renewed interest in classical Greek philosophy , as well as an increase in literary output in vernacular Greek. Byzantine art and literature held a preeminent place in Europe, and the cultural impact of Byzantine art on

17835-647: The priest through prayer, and their reception by the congregation in Holy Communion. Among the many other terms used in the 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". The term Divine Liturgy ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : Θεία Λειτουργία ) is used in Byzantine Rite traditions, whether in

17980-652: The resurrection of Jesus to be the cornerstone of their faith (see 1 Corinthians 15 ) and the most important event in history. Among Christian beliefs, the death and resurrection of Jesus are two core events on which much of Christian doctrine and theology is based. According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified , died a physical death, was buried within a tomb, and rose from the dead three days later. Eucharist The Eucharist ( / ˈ juː k ər ɪ s t / YOO -kər-ist ; from Koinē Greek : εὐχαριστία , romanized:  evcharistía , lit.   ' thanksgiving ' ), also called Holy Communion ,

18125-417: The role of tradition, the seven sacraments , and other doctrines and practices. The Reformation in England began in 1534, when King Henry VIII had himself declared head of the Church of England . Beginning in 1536, the monasteries throughout England, Wales and Ireland were dissolved . Thomas Müntzer , Andreas Karlstadt and other theologians perceived both the Catholic Church and the confessions of

18270-558: The short, soft versions of 12th-century Armenia. When Armenian bishops adopted the Latin mitre, use of the liturgical crown known as the saghavard was passed to priests; in the Byzantine Rite, this is still used by bishops. Both the mitre and pallium were introduced to Armenia by the Catholic Pope Lucius II as a present to the Catholicos of Armenia. The crown is worn by the protodeacon when a bishop celebrates

18415-413: The sick. In commemoration of the dead , a form of animal sacrifice known as matagh ( madagh ) is practiced. The meat of a blessed and sacrificed animal is divided between the family that offered it and others, imitating pre-Christian sacrifices. Despite its continued practice, ecclesiastical authorities oppose matagh . Myron , a form of chrism oil, is blessed by the Catholicos of All Armenians of

18560-402: The state actively opposed itself to the authority of the Catholic Church. The combined factors of the formation of nation states and ultramontanism , especially in Germany and the Netherlands, but also in England to a much lesser extent, often forced Catholic churches, organizations, and believers to choose between the national demands of the state and the authority of the Church, specifically

18705-608: The state. Variables were the relative sizes of the denominations and the religious, political, and ideological orientation of the states. Urs Altermatt of the University of Fribourg , looking specifically at Catholicism in Europe, identifies four models for the European nations. In traditionally Catholic-majority countries such as Belgium, Spain, and Austria, to some extent, religious and national communities are more or less identical. Cultural symbiosis and separation are found in Poland,

18850-421: The substances of the body and blood of Jesus Christ ( transubstantiation ) while the appearances of the bread and wine remain unaltered (e.g. colour, taste, feel, and smell). The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches agree that an objective change occurs of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Lutherans believe the true body and blood of Christ are really present "in, with, and under"

18995-408: The synoptic Gospels and Paul's recount that Jesus at the time of taking the bread and the cup said: "This is my body […] this is my blood." The Catholic understanding of these words, from the Patristic authors onward, has emphasized their roots in the covenantal history of the Old Testament. The interpretation of Christ's words against this Old Testament background coheres with and supports belief in

19140-439: The synoptic Gospels, Mark 14:22–25, Matthew 26:26–29 and Luke 22:13–20 depict Jesus as presiding over the Last Supper prior to his crucifixion. The versions in Matthew and Mark are almost identical, but the Gospel of Luke presents a textual difference, in that a few manuscripts omit the second half of verse 19 and all of verse 20 ("given for you […] poured out for you"), which are found in the vast majority of ancient witnesses to

19285-411: The term " The Sacrament " is used of the rite. The term " Mass " is used in the Catholic Church , the Lutheran churches (especially the Churches of Sweden , Norway and Finland ), and by some Anglicans. It derives from the Latin word missa , a dismissal: " Ite missa est ", or "go, it is sent", the very last phrase of the service. That Latin word has come to imply "mission" as well because

19430-580: The term "worship" itself) to service of God, although more recently it has been associated with the idea that God is serving the congregants in the liturgy. Some Eastern rites have yet more names for the Eucharist. Holy Qurbana is common in Syriac Christianity and Badarak in the Armenian Rite ; in the Alexandrian Rite , the term prosphora (from the Greek προσφορά ) is common in Coptic Christianity and Keddase in Ethiopian and Eritrean Christianity . The Last Supper appears in all three synoptic Gospels : Matthew , Mark , and Luke . It also

19575-417: The text. If the shorter text is the original one, then Luke's account is independent of both that of Paul and that of Matthew/Mark. If the majority longer text comes from the author of the third gospel, then this version is very similar to that of Paul in 1 Corinthians, being somewhat fuller in its description of the early part of the Supper, particularly in making specific mention of a cup being blessed before

19720-468: The washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished,

19865-406: The words of Christ in the Eucharist to those who believe his words ("given and shed for you"). Reformed Christians also believe Christ to be present in the Eucharist, but describe this presence as a spiritual presence , not a physical one. Anglicans adhere to a range of views depending on churchmanship although the teaching in the Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles holds that the body of Christ

20010-437: The world, particularly in the Middle East , North Africa , East Asia , and South Asia . Early Jewish Christians referred to themselves as 'The Way' ( Koinē Greek : τῆς ὁδοῦ , romanized:  tês hodoû ), probably coming from Isaiah 40:3 , "prepare the way of the Lord". According to Acts 11:26 , the term "Christian" ( Χρῑστῐᾱνός , Khrīstiānós ), meaning "followers of Christ" in reference to Jesus's disciples ,

20155-511: Was against regulations. From the Byzantine Rite, archbishops and patriarchs wear the rhomboid konk'er (also gonker ) embroidered ornament–equivalent to an epigonation –from the right side while bishops wear an omophorion and a large pallium from the shoulders. Episcopal vestments borrow two Latin elements–the mitre and the crozier ( gavazan )–which were introduced during the Crusades. The modern mitres worn by Armenian Apostolic bishops more approximate tall 18th-century Latin forms than

20300-412: Was ended with the Edict of Toleration in 311 and the Edict of Milan in 313. At that point, Christianity was still a minority belief, comprising perhaps only 5% of the Roman population. Influenced by his adviser Mardonius , Constantine's nephew Julian unsuccessfully tried to suppress Christianity. On 27 February 380, Theodosius I , Gratian , and Valentinian II established Nicene Christianity as

20445-414: Was first used in the city of Antioch by the non-Jewish inhabitants there. The earliest recorded use of the term "Christianity/Christianism" ( Χρῑστῐᾱνισμός , Khrīstiānismós ) was by Ignatius of Antioch around 100  AD . The name Jesus comes from ‹See Tfd› Greek : Ἰησοῦς Iēsous , likely from Hebrew / Aramaic : יֵשׁוּעַ Yēšūaʿ. Christianity developed during the 1st century AD as

20590-400: Was not new—Augustine of Hippo said that Jews should not be allowed to enjoy the citizenship that Christians took for granted—but the growing antipathy towards Jews was a factor that led to the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290 , the first of many such expulsions in Europe. Beginning around 1184, following the crusade against Cathar heresy, various institutions, broadly referred to as

20735-399: Was the first of a series of ecumenical councils , which formally defined critical elements of the theology of the Church, notably concerning Christology . The Church of the East did not accept the third and following ecumenical councils and is still separate today by its successors ( Assyrian Church of the East ). In terms of prosperity and cultural life, the Byzantine Empire was one of

20880-450: Was thought of as a repetition of the event. Jewish people's eagerness to destroy hosts were also a variation of blood libel charges, with Jews being accused of murdering bodies of Christ, whether they be communion wafers or Christian children. The blood libel charges and the concept of Eucharist are also related in the belief that blood is efficacious, meaning it has some sort of divine power. Most Christians, even those who deny that there

21025-425: Was to be consumed by the family members. Any left overs were to be burned before daybreak so that none of the Passover Lamb's flesh remained. Only by marking the doorposts and lintel of one's home with the Blood of the Lamb were the members of the household saved from death. The consumption of the Lamb was not to save them but rather to give them energy for the journey of escape (Exodus = escape from slavery in Egypt) as

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