History

• Holy Communion, or Eucharist, takes its name from the classical Greek language, and translates as "to give thanks."
  
  

Biblical Origins

• Three of the Biblical gospels--Matthew, Mark and Luke--describe the Last Supper, a meal soon before the crucifixion of Jesus, in which Jesus shared bread and wine with his apostles, instructing them that the food and drink represented his body and blood and to continue the tradition among his followers.
  
  

Components of Holy Communion

• Taking instruction from the gospels, Holy Communion consists typically of bread and wine. In the Catholic Church, as well as in some other Christian communities, wine and wheaten bread are used. In Protestant congregations that do not allow alcohol, pasteurized grape juice and rice-based crackers are typical.
  
  

Sacrament

• A sacrament is defined as a rite of the religious ceremony in which the presence of God and his grace are specifically acknowledged. In all Christian religions, the Holy Communion is considered to be such a rite.
  
  

Catholic versus Proestant

• Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believe that the bread and wine actually becomes the body and blood of Christ during the sacrament performed by a priest. Most protestant Christian communities are not this literal, considering the presence of God to be strong during the sacrament, but not the actual body and blood of Christ.
  
  

Closed versus Open

• Closed communion is practiced by the Catholic and Orthodox churches and means that only practicing members of the specific religion may receive communion. Open communion is practiced by most other Christian churches, who believe that all baptized Christians may participate in the ceremony.