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Does the Maronite Catholic Church use leavened or unleavened bread for the Eucharist? And how long have they been doing so? And why?

It is my understanding that the CCEO, canon 707, says all Eastern Catholic Churches are to use leavened bread except for the Armenian Church.

Joe Prokopchak
archsinner

Dear Joe,

I saw a photo of a Coptic Catholic priest using unleavened bread for the Divine Liturgy.

I'd like to add the Coptic Church to your question.

Thanks,

Paul

Joe and Paul,

The Maronites, the Armenians, the Chaldeans, the Copts, and the Syro-Malankarese use unleavened bread. The Ethiopians use unleavened bread on Holy Thursday only.

I believe that only the Maronites and Armenians legitimately use it, but I don't remember that there is specific reference to its use in the CCEO. At least for the Armenians, the usage is ancient; for the others, it is a Latinization (which is of relatively recent vintage in the Chaldean Church, I believe).

Many years,

Neil

That's right brother Neil, we Armenians have used unleavend since ancient times. Many historians believe we used this even before the Latins. Maybe they and the other Churches are all suffering from an Armenianization! I like the sound of that.

As far as I know whenever I have celebrated with the Maronites, it has always been unleavened bread that was used.
Stephanos I