Did Judas partake of Communion?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, based on the liturgical texts and the teachings of the Holy Fathers, the answer is yes: Judas did partake of the Holy Eucharist during the Last Supper, and he did so to his own condemnation.

1. The Scriptural and Liturgical Evidence

The Coptic Orthodox Church, following the Gospel accounts (particularly Matthew 26 and Luke 22), understands that Judas was present at the table when Jesus Christ instituted the Mystery of the Eucharist.

In the Fraction Prayer of the Great Thursday (Covenant Thursday), the Church explicitly mentions Judas's presence and his betrayal in the context of the meal. Furthermore, in the homilies read during Holy Week, such as those by St. John Chrysostom, the Church warns the faithful not to approach the Mysteries as Judas did.

2. The Warning of St. John Chrysostom

In the Lectionary of Holy Week, a homily by St. John Chrysostom is read that directly addresses this point. He warns:

"Do you know Who it is of Whom you wish to partake? This is the Holy Body of God the Logos and the Blood which He gave for our salvation, of Which if anyone partakes of unworthily, there shall be unto him condemnation and destruction such as happened to Judas who betrayed the Lord."

This teaching confirms that Judas received the Mystery, but because his heart was filled with greed and betrayal, the Life-Giving Body and Blood became a source of judgment rather than salvation.

3. The Distinction Between the Passover and the Eucharist

The Lord first celebrated the Jewish Passover (the old rite) with the disciples to fulfill the Law, and then He instituted the New Covenant Eucharist.

• Source 1 & 2 from Bishop Mettaous confirm: "When He wanted to institute the Sacrament (the Mystery) of the Lord’s Supper, He first celebrated the rites of the Jewish Passover with His disciples, and then He instituted the Eucharist (The New Passover)."
• Judas was present for both. The "sop" mentioned in the Gospel of John, which Christ dipped and gave to Judas, is often associated by the Fathers with the final moment before the Eucharist or a specific part of the meal that marked his departure to the chief priests and the Pharisees.

4. The Theological Significance

The Coptic Orthodox Church teaches that the worthiness of the recipient does not change the nature of the Sacrament—the Bread and Wine truly become the Body and Blood of. However, the effect on the soul depends on the state of the person.

• For the faithful, it is "for the remission of sins and eternal life."
• For Judas, it was for "condemnation and destruction."

This is why, during the Divine Liturgy, the priest and the deacons constantly call the people to look inward: "Let us attend in the fear of God." We are reminded of Judas so that we do not approach the Altar with a heart full of malice, hypocrisy, or the love of money, which led Judas to his ruin.

In summary, Judas did partake, but as the Fathers teach, he "ate and drank judgment to himself" because he despised the Great Mystery.