Divine Liturgy
Why is the chosen bread called the Lamb?
The Lamb In The Liturgy
The chosen 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.
Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Why This Language Matters
In the Old Testament, the Passover lamb was connected with deliverance. In the New Testament, Christ is the true Passover. The Liturgy uses the word Lamb because the Eucharist is not a general symbol of religious fellowship. It is participation in the sacrifice and life of Christ.
How This Connects To Communion
The Lamb is offered, prayed over, consecrated, broken in the Fraction, and given to the faithful in Holy Communion. When you hear the word Lamb, think of the whole Eucharistic movement: offering, thanksgiving, consecration, and communion with Christ.
- 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.
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.