The Eucharist is a rite, or ceremonial act of worship, that traces its origins to the meals Jesus Christ participated in during his ministry.

Traditionally, as Christians we perform this rite in fulfillment of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples at their last meal together (reported in Luke 22:19 and by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:24–25) to break bread, which he referred to as his body, and to pass a cup, which he referred to as (the new covenant in) his blood, in remembrance of Him.

The word Eucharist comes from the ancient Greek noun (transliterated, “Eucharistia”) meaning thanksgiving.

The Eucharist is the primary rite of worship in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion, the worldwide body to which the Episcopal Church belongs. Most church historians and theologians believe the Eucharist to be the primary rite of the ancient Christian church in the years following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension.