What is the meaning of the word "Eucharist" and from where does it come? What is the importance of the Eucharist and Baptism? How should we approach the Eucharist?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

The word Eucharist originates from the Greek word εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), which means "thanksgiving." In the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy, this is the "Sacrament of Thanksgiving." It refers specifically to the institution of the Lord’s Supper, where Christ gave thanks, blessed, broke, and gave the Bread and Wine to His disciples, transforming them into His true Body and Blood.

The Importance of Baptism and the Eucharist

These two Sacraments are the foundations of the Christian life, often referred to as the "Sacraments of Initiation."

• Baptism (ⲡⲓⲱⲙⲥ* - pi-oms):* This is the door to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a second birth "of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). In Coptic theology, Baptism is the death and resurrection with Christ; it is where original sin is washed away and the person is grafted into the Body of Christ, the Church. Without Baptism, one cannot receive any other Sacrament.
• The Eucharist (ⲡⲓⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ* - pi-mysteroin ethowab):* If Baptism gives us life, the Eucharist sustains that life. It is the "Medicine of Immortality." As Christ stated, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53). By partaking of the Holy Communion, we unite ourselves with Jesus and receive strength from Him. As noted in the writings of Bishop Mettaous, we carry Christ inside us to overcome the world, for "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

How We Should Approach the Eucharist

The Eucharist is the "Holy of Holies" of the Christian life and must be approached with the utmost reverence, preparation, and fear of God.

1. Repentance and Confession: One must not approach the Altar while harboring unconfessed sins or holding a grudge against others. Regular practice of the Sacrament of Penance and Confession with a spiritual father is a prerequisite.
2. Physical Fasting: In the Coptic tradition, total abstinence from food and drink is required for nine hours before receiving Communion (or from midnight the night before, depending on the time of the Liturgy). This prepares the body to receive the Heavenly Manna as its first food.
3. Spiritual Preparation: This includes reading the prayers of preparation before Communion found in the Agpeya (the Book of Hours), attending the Raising of Incense (Vespers and Matins), and focusing the mind on the magnitude of the Mystery.
4. The Fear of God: We approach the Altar with bowed heads and a contrite heart. As the priest cries out during the Liturgy, "The Holy is for the holy," we respond acknowledging our unworthiness, seeking the mercy of God. Standing in the Presence of the Body and Blood of Emmanuel requires us to be "clothed with the garment of righteousness."

By receiving the Divine and Life-giving Mysteries, we attain the pledge of the Kingdom and experience true unity with Christ.