Can non-believers eat Eulogia?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Eulogia (often called the Qurban or) is the bread that was prepared for the Divine Liturgy but not chosen to become the Body of Christ. While it is not the Eucharist, it is nevertheless a "morsel of blessing."

The Sacredness of the Bread

The Eulogia is not "ordinary" bread. As noted in the rites of the Holy Liturgy, it must be kissed before eating because it has "attended the Liturgy" and has been sanctified through the Word of God and the prayers of the priest. Because it is a holy thing, it is generally reserved for the faithful who are part of the body of the Church.

Traditional Practice

Strictly speaking, the Eulogia is intended for the the believers. In many traditional Coptic contexts, the priest or deacons distributing the bread at the end of the Liturgy are distributing it to the congregation—those who have participated in the prayers.

1. Catechumens and Visitors: Historically, the Eulogia was often given to catechumens (those learning the faith but not yet baptized) as a sign of blessing and a "shadow" of the Holy Mysteries they would eventually receive.
2. Non-Believers (Non-Christians): While there is no explicit canon that harshly forbids a non-believer from tasting a piece of the bread if they are visiting the church out of respect, it is discouraged. The bread is a "morsel of blessing" belonging to the altar of God. Giving it to those who do not recognize its sanctity or the God who sanctified it risks the "fragments falling on the floor" or the bread being treated with "extravagance" or lack of reverence, which the Church Fathers strictly warn against.

Rules for Handling the Eulogia

If a person is to eat the Eulogia, they must adhere to the following rules as outlined in the rites:

• Reverence: It must be kissed before eating.
• Care: It must be eaten carefully so that no crumbs fall on the floor. If a piece is too big, it should be broken with the hands, not the teeth.
• Fasting: On fasting days, the Eulogia is kept until the fast is broken. On non-fasting days, it is traditionally eaten before leaving the church.

The Truth of the Matter

The Church treats everything associated with the Altar with the highest degree of respect. While the Eulogia is not the the Mystery/Sacrament itself, it is a holy remnant. Just as we do not allow those outside the faith to partake of the Mysteries, we do not treat the Eulogia as common food to be shared indiscriminately with non-believers who do not share in our faith and our confession of.