Communion in church is a Christian rite where people share bread and wine or grape juice to remember Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and to express unity with him and with other believers.

Quick Scoop

It is also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist in many churches.

Some churches view it mainly as a memorial, while others see it as a sacred sacrament or means of grace.

What it means

  • Remembrance: It recalls Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
  • Fellowship: It symbolizes communion with Christ and with the church community.
  • Thanksgiving: Many churches treat it as a time to give thanks for what Jesus did.

How churches do it

Different Christian traditions do it differently. Some offer communion weekly, others monthly, and some less often.

The bread and cup may be understood symbolically in some churches, while others teach they are deeply sacramental.

Simple example

A church service might include a prayer, a reading from the Bible, and then people taking a small piece of bread and a sip from the cup as a sign of faith and remembrance.

If you want, I can also explain why some churches call it Eucharist or who can take communion.