www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Communion Question

I am a Latin who attends the Byzantine Rite DL frequently. Because I travel, I attend the DL not only at home, but very often in one other city. Although both Churches are in the Ruthenian jurisdiction, one is more traditional and seems to have less Latinizations than the other.

In the more traditional Church I have observed that those receiving communion will kiss the chalice after receiving. Is this common practice in the Eastern Church? Please forgive my ignorance.

Doug

Dear Doug,

The tradition of kissing the edge of the Chalice after receiving Holy Communion is a way of venerating the Wounded Side of Christ, represented by the edge of the Chalice, since, in Communion, we are nourished from the Wounded Side of Christ.

Not all communicants do this, depending on one's EC parish etc. In the OCA parishes I'm familiar with, everyone does this.

It is a beautiful, richly meaningful spiritual tradition that can be done by us every time we approach Holy Communion.

Alex

Thanks Alex!

Doug

I am very used to this practice in my former parish. Unfortunatley in my current parish I never saw this and I am almost afraid to start it myself because I fear that the priest isn't used to it.

If you are talking about kissing the edge of the chalice are you talking about the "stand" of the chalice?

It appeared to me that the communicants were kissing the side of the Chalice.