When does the Holy Spirit go on the bread and wine?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy, the transformation of the bread and wine into the real Body and Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ occurs during the Epiclesis (the Invocation of the Holy Spirit).

While the entire Liturgy is a single, continuous mystery, we identify the specific moment of sanctification when the priest kneels before the altar and petitions God the Father to send His Holy Spirit upon the gifts.

The Process of Sanctification

1. The Institution Narrative: The priest recites the words of our Lord during the Last Supper: "He took bread... He gave thanks... He blessed It... And He sanctified It.". During this time, the congregation responds with "We believe," affirming that these words are true.
2. The Epiclesis (Invocation): Immediately following the institution and the "Amen" of the congregation, the priest prays the Epiclesis. In the Liturgy of St. Basil, he prays: "And we ask You, O Lord our God... that Your Holy Spirit descend upon us and upon these gifts set forth, and purify them, change them, and manifest them as a sanctification of Your saints."
3. The Transformation: The priest then signs the bread three times with the cross, saying: "And this bread He makes into His Holy Body." The congregation responds: "I believe. Amen." He then signs the chalice three times, saying: "And this cup also, into the precious Blood of His New Covenant." The congregation again responds: "I believe. Amen."

The Orthodox Perspective on the Manner of Change

As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we believe the bread and wine are changed into the real Body and real Blood of the Son of God. Regarding the "manner" in which this is done, we follow the teachings of the Church Fathers who state that it is done through the Holy Spirit, just as the Lord made flesh for Himself in the womb of the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit.

We do not attempt to define the "mechanics" of this change through philosophical terms like the Catholics do, but rather we accept it as a divine mystery. As the Fathers teach, we know the word of God is true and omnipotent, but the specific manner in which the Holy Spirit effects this change is impossible for the human mind to fully find out.

The Bread

The bread used (the Qorban) is specifically prepared to represent this mystery. It is round like the sun to symbolize the "Sun of Righteousness" who has no beginning and no end. It contains the Spadikon (the large center square symbolising Jesus Christ) surrounded by twelve crosses representing the disciples. When the Holy Spirit descends, that which was simple flour and water becomes the Life-giving Body of the Lord.