Glossary

Theological and spiritual terms used in this book, with short definitions and back-links to every occurrence.

Eucharist

Greek εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), ‘thanksgiving’. The central sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; the apostolic-era extra-biblical writings (Didache 9–10; Ignatius, Eph. 20:2 — ‘medicine of immortality’) already use the word both for the rite itself and for the consecrated elements. In patristic and Orthodox theology the Eucharist is the fullest participation in Christ, in which the Church becomes what she is.

Occurs in: Introduction (5); 1. Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans (1).