“This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.” — John 6:50
In the Upper Room, on the night He was betrayed, our Lord broke bread, declaring it to be His flesh, and distributed wine, declaring it to be His blood. In partaking of communion, also called the Eucharist, we do not receive mere bread and wine, but the body, blood, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in propitiation and remission of our sins. This is the healing medicine prophesied by Jeremiah. We perform this as a continual thank-offering, of which all who are prepared are invited to partake: we must be baptised members of the Orthodox Church, and have confessed our sins, and we must not eat or drink anything before receiving communion. For those who are not ready to receive communion, we also give out mas, which is unconsecrated bread, so that they may still partake in the breaking of bread with us; this can also be taken home to those who were unable to attend liturgy.