The Importance of Communion Chalice

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.

A more common name for the chalice is the communion cup. It is a sacred vessel that is considered to be among the most popular among people. Basically, a chalice is the primary vessel used to store the wine in a communion service or mass.

Several of the churches that make use of this religious item include Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Churches and other Christian denominations.

The chalice or communion cup is usually made from gold or silver and usually adorned with different kinds of stones. In the olden times, the gold goblet was a common symbol that’s passed on to families.

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.

As a sacred vessel, the communion cup was treated with great respect and often stored in sacred place. More often than not, the “holy grail” or the cup that Christ used in the Last Supper is usually the first thing that people think about whenever they hear the word chalice or communion cup.

The idea of this came about when pilgrims during the 6th and 7th century thought that there was a sect that had the original cup that Jesus used. However, this was in fact, nothing but a legend.

Nevertheless, it showcased just how essential the cup was and to what extent people in the Christian faith would go for it.

One of the most sacred and revered vessels in the Christian faith is the Communion chalice. You can find a whole variety of chalices that are suited for any kind of denomination or religion that might have a need for them.

The style and design that each church requires would vary. For example, the cups contained a small node where the stem met the cup for most communion cups used in Western Christianity. This small node allowed for easy pick up by the user.

In the Catholic Church, before Vatican II was established, the cups usually bore a tulip shape and were slim in appearance since only the priests were allowed to use them.

Today, most people that participate in the communion can also use the cup and drink the blood of Christ represented by the wine.

On the other hand, Eastern Christianity and the Orthodox Church often used chalices that were designed with icons including the cross. Also, every person that took the communion is also able to drink from the communion cup.

Over time, the chalice has evolved and has taken many different faces and even now, you can still see different versions of this sacred 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.

It’s sacredness is still revered as exhibited by the use of the communion chalice in the Catholic Church wherein every time it is used in service it is blessed and anointed first.