The Eucharistic Rite (The Christian Lord's Supper and its influence from paganism)

Abstract

                           The Eucharist (the Christian Lord's Supper) is one of the most complex Christian rites and one of the most important sacraments of the Church, indeed, it is the first sacrament of the Church. The research discussed its meaning, characteristics, and stages of development throughout successive historical periods, and its transformation from a gathering of Christians in remembrance of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples and his commandment to them to do so in remembrance of him, to a secret and mysterious rite in which they claim that the bread and wine consumed by the assembled are transformed into the true body and blood of Christ, and that they thereby enter into communion and union with him, receiving a part of his distinctive qualities. This is exactly like a well-known rite practiced by pagans who later entered Christianity, bringing with them their same pagan beliefs, especially since some of the early Church Fathers encouraged this to attract these people to enter Christianity, which, over time and by the decisions of the Church councils, came to represent pagan beliefs more than it embodied the true message of Jesus Christ.