Some people are quite familiar with the communion chalice, but not that many of them know its significance to the Christian faith as well as it’s history.
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.Several of the churches that make use of this religious item include Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Churches and other Christian denominations.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.Moreover, these chalices were in the shape of a goblet which had two handles on either side. As time went by, however, this design changed and turned even if its main purpose remained the same.The chalice as a vessel was treated with great reverence and often kept in a sacred place. Most of the time, when people hear of the word chalice or communion cup they automatically think ?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.
If there was one sacred vessel in the Christian faith that is revered by most people, it would have to be the Communion Wafers. You can find so many varieties of wafers in any kind of church denomination.Of course, the design as well as the style would be different for each denomination. For instance, for Western Christianity, the cups were made with a special node at the stem. This special node allowed for easier pick up by the user.
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.As you can see, the chalice has had many facets and even today, variations of its looks are still present.These cups are still seen as an important part of the sacrament and the faith. They are essentially used to symbolically hold the blood of Christ.As showcased in their continuous usage, the Communion Sets are still revered in most of Catholic churches where every time it is brought out and use, it is anointed and blessed.