Eastern Rite - Chalice

Today is the Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Synaxis of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist Saint John.

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In Eastern Christian usage the Chalice is a form of a stemmed cup or goblet used to offer Communion during the Divine Liturgy. The chalice is usually made of a precious metal, gold or silver, and maybe plain, engraved, bejeweled, or decorated with a combination of adornment. During the entry to the eucharistic service the wine is brought in the chalice and a plate called the Paten or Diskos is used to carry the prosphora, which is a leavened bread or artos. These combined are the Holy Gifts.

Before the Divine Liturgy begins, a service called the proskomedia is conducted at a table of preparation or prothesis at the side of the altar, during which the Holy Gifts are prepared for Communion. As prayers are recited the chalice is filled with wine and from the prosphora a Lamb is cut and placed on the paten. The prayers include commemorations from the faithful for loved ones, both living and dead. During the Great Entrance these Gifts are brought to the altar table where by joining the Lamb with the wine the celebrant calls for the bread and wine to be the Body and Blood of Christ for Communion.

Communion begins among the higher clergy, bishops, priests, and deacons, before the Lamb is mixed with the wine for communion of the laity. Communion of the laity is usually by spoon directly from the chalice to the communicant. Except for a portion of the communion that may be held in reserve for communion of the sick before the next Divine Liturgy, the remaining portion of the Body and Blood of Christ is consumed by the clergy at the conclusion the service.