Communion Chalice - It’s Story and Worth
Most people know about the Communion chalice, however, only a few people know about the meaning it has on the Christian belief as well as the story behind it.The chalice is also more commonly known as the communion cup. It is considered to be one of the most popular among the sacred vessels. Essentially, a chalice is used in most Christian ceremonies and masses as a cup that holds the wine.The Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches are among the denominations that make use of this sacred vessel.Most of the time, this cup is usually made from gold or silver and decorated with several stones. Back in the day, the cup was a common symbol that was passed on from one member of the family to the other.
In addition, the chalices before were in the shape of a goblet that contained two handles on either side. As centuries passed, however, the design for the chalice has evolved even though its main essence has remained the same.The communion cup is often revered and thus is stored in a special place whenever it is not used. The most common idea that comes to mind whenever people hear the word chalice, the first thing that comes to minds is the ?Holy Grail? or the cup that Christ used in the Last Supper.
This actually came about when around the 6th and 7th century, the pilgrims though that a group had obtained the cup that Christ actually used. However, this was nothing but just a legend.
Nevertheless, it showed just how important the cup was and how far those who believe in the Christian faith would go for it.
One of the most sacred and revered vessels in the Christian faith are the Communion Wafers. You can find a whole variety of wafers that are suited for any kind of denomination or religion that might have a need for them.The design is different for each church that used them as well. For instance, in western Christianity the cups had a small node where the stem met the cup. This allowed the cup to be easily picked up.
In Catholicism, before the Vatican II, the cups were created with a tulip shape and were generally quite slim since only the priests were the only ones that used them.
Today, however, all people who are to take communion can drink from the chalice or any form of cup to also partake of the blood of Christ.On the other hand, for Eastern Churches as well as Orthodox ones usually used cups that had icons as embellishments and even including the cross. Moreover, every person that partook of the communion was able to drink from the cup as well.Over time, the design and shape of the chalice changed and has took on many different faces, even today, you can still see various kinds of this vessel.These vessels are still an important part of the sacrament and people’s belief. Held as a symbol that holds the cup of Christ, the chalice is certainly an essential element in Christianity.
The sanctity is still being revered and in fact, in the Catholic Church, whenever the Communion Sets are used, it is actually blessed first and anointed.