Divine Liturgy
Why is the chosen bread called the Lamb?
The chosen holy bread is called the Lamb because the Eucharist is centered on Christ, the Lamb of God. The title comes from Scripture and from the Church's confession that Christ offers Himself for the life of the world. When the priest chooses the Lamb, the Liturgy is already pointing to the Cross, Resurrection, and Holy Communion.
Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Scripture Behind The Name
In the Old Testament, the Passover lamb was connected with deliverance. Israel was rescued through the blood of the lamb and the mercy of God. In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as the true Passover and the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. The Coptic Liturgy receives that biblical language and places it at the center of the Eucharistic offering.
Calling the chosen offering the Lamb therefore teaches the faithful how to understand the whole service. The Eucharist is thanksgiving, but it is thanksgiving through the sacrifice of Christ. It is a meal, but it is the meal of the sacrificed and risen Lord. It is Communion, but Communion in the One who gives Himself.
How This Connects To Communion
The Lamb is offered, prayed over, consecrated, broken in the Fraction, and given to the faithful in Holy Communion. The same word follows the movement from the beginning of the Liturgy to Distribution. What is chosen at the Offering of the Lamb becomes, by the work of the Holy Spirit, the holy Body of Christ given for salvation, remission of sins, and eternal life.
When the Church says Lamb, she is not giving a decorative name to bread. She is confessing Christ crucified and risen, present in the Eucharistic mystery, and offered to the faithful as life.
- Coptic Liturgies, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Overview of the Divine Liturgy, the three Coptic liturgies, and the principal parts of the Eucharistic service.
- Coptic Rites (4): Liturgy of the Believers, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Teaching slides on the Anaphora, institution narrative, invocation of the Holy Spirit, consecration, litanies, and Communion.
- The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, CopticChurch.net. Service text and introduction for the most commonly used Coptic Divine Liturgy.
- The Sacrament of the Eucharist, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Catechetical lecture on the Eucharist as true communion in the Body and Blood of Christ.
Korban: The holy bread prepared for the Coptic Liturgy. During the Offering of the Lamb, one is selected to be offered and consecrated as the holy Body of Christ.
Lamb: The holy bread selected during the Offering of the Lamb, named in relation to Christ the Lamb of God who gives Himself for the life of the world.
Eucharist: A Greek word meaning thanksgiving. In Orthodox worship it names the sacrament in which bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.
Holy Communion: The faithful receiving the true Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, after baptismal life, repentance, confession, fasting, reconciliation, and pastoral preparation.
Mysteries: The Orthodox name for the sacraments, calling attention to God's grace given through visible rites such as Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, and the Eucharist.