The Mystery of the Eucharist

About the mystery of the #Eucharist Beloved and respected members who follow the orthodox education and spiritual service that we convey on John's Repentance page, we send you this writing about the sacrement of the Eucharist so that you read, understand and participate in this foundational mystery of the Church. 👉 Institution of the Sacrament Our Lord instituted this Sacrament on Covenant Thursday, just a few hours before His arrest and trial. After He had washed the feet of the disciples as a sign of their repentance and preparation, “He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’” (Mt 26:26-28) St. Paul said, “The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor 11:23-26) 👉 Symbols of the Eucharist in the Old Testament The offering of Melchizedek (bread & wine) was a symbol of this Holy Sacrament, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High” (Gen 14:18). This is the first verse in Holy Scripture where the word “priest” was used and it is interesting to notice the connection between the priesthood of Melchizedek and the offering of bread and wine. Therefore, it was said about our Lord, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6) The Passover lamb that the children of Israel offered on the night of their exodus from Egypt, and which they used to offer every year thereafter was a symbol of this Sacrament “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Cor 5:7) The manna that the children of Israel ate in the wilderness of Sinai for forty years was a symbol of the Sacrament of Eucharist. Our Lord said, “This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever” (Jn 6:58) – “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread that I shall give is My flesh” (Jn 6:51) 👉 The Question of the Real Presence Our Lord spoke about this Sacrament openly to the Jews but they “quarreled among themselves saying, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’” (Jn 6:52). Moreover, many of the disciples protested saying, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (Jn 6:60). When Lord Jesus explicitly emphasized His real presence in the Sacrament, it was written, “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (Jn 6:66) The question of the real presence is of considerable importance in relation to the differences, which have emerged within Christianity since the time of the so-called ‘Reformation’. A particularly important witness to the early Christian understanding of this Sacrament is provided by the ‘Catechetical lectures’ of St. Cyril of Jerusalem. This series of 24 lectures of instruction on the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church, given at some point around 350 AD to those preparing for baptism, are an important witness to the ideas that prevailed in the Jerusalem Church around this point. It is clear that St. Cyril regarded the bread and wine as becoming the real body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: About the Archangel St. #Michael Beloved members of John's Repentance service, today is the monthly feast the St. Michael. Hence we send you this writing so you may read and partake form the Archangel's blessings. The Archangel St. Michael is highly revered in the Orthodox Church, celebrated for his dedicated service to God and his pivotal role as a protector, intercessor, and warrior against the forces of evil. His presence in biblical narratives and miraculous interventions mark him as a significant figure not just in the spiritual realm, but also in the lives of the faithful. St. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God”, is the leader of the heavenly hosts and always stands before God's throne, advocating for humanity. This idea is reinforced in the Book of Joshua, where St. Michael appears as the commander of the Lord's army, showing his leadership and divine authority. His steadfast support of the saints and martyrs, offering strength and resilience, further showcases his commitment to God's people. The church celebrates his feast on the 12th of each month, with two major feasts held on the 12th of Hator/Hidär (November 21st) and on the 12th of Paona/Sëné (June 19th). Celebrating St. Michael through these feasts is a testament to his influence and importance. Traditional practices such as offering alms and holding festivals in his name serve to honor and remember him, reflecting the deeply ingrained respect and love for St. Michael among the faithful. Miracles are often associated with St. Michael, reinforcing his role as an active, divine participant in human affairs. The story of Dorotheus and Theopista provides a powerful example of this, as St. Michael aids this pious family in their time of need, miraculously providing for them as they honor him with a feast. The Archangel Michael is often depicted in church iconography in a soldier's attire, symbolizing his role as the commander of the heavenly army. The spear he holds signifies his victory over Satan, as described in the book of Revelation, where he triumphs in the war in heaven, expelling the devil. St. Michael is also recognized as the angel of the Resurrection, as cited in the Gospel of Matthew. His protective role extends to entire communities, where he is considered the guardian of monasteries, with many churches worldwide built in his honor. His widespread veneration is also reflected in the many people named after him, demonstrating the depth of his impact on the faithful. St. Michael's humility, despite his grandeur, is evident in the epistle of Jude, where he disputes with the devil over Moses' body, showing restraint and respect for divine authority. He is also known to assist other archangels, such as Gabriel, in their missions. Finally, as we celebrate the Annual Feast of Archangel Saint Michael, we are reminded of his role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and guiding them through their journey, as described in the book of Exodus. He is revered as a protector and intercessor, helping those enslaved by sin, advocating for love, harmony, and peace among the faithful. To incorporate these lessons into our lives, we are encouraged to emulate St. Michael's humility, strength, and unwavering loyalty to God. Just as he intercedes for humanity, we too should advocate for one another in love and solidarity. And just as he battles the forces of evil, we should strive to resist sin and promote peace and harmony in our lives. As we honor St. Michael, we can draw inspiration from his divine example and aspire to reflect these virtues in our own lives. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of The Virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance