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W
Wafer
Wine


Wafer: The bread part of the Lord's Supper signifying to us the Body of Christ, it is often an unleavened and very thin cracker-like substance. After the wafer is consecrated, it is usually called the Host. Sometimes the wafer is imprinted with a cross, sometimes it is smooth.
   Wafers that will serve as priest's hosts are larger than the people's hosts, and can range from one inch to several inches in diameter. The people's host is usually about a half inch in size.

Wine: The beverage portion of the Holy Communion. As Scripture reminds us, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many, for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:27-28) In the Episcopal Church, wine is used at Holy Communion (instead of grape juice) and it is often a port wine. Wine and vineyards were symbols of happiness and signs of God's blessing in the Promised Land.
   In the old tradition during the Holy Communion, a little water was sometimes mixed with the wine, although this is being done much less in Episcopal churches. This has roots in historical practicality and theological insight. Historically, wine carried by the traveler was mixed with the water of the desert to purify it. Theologically, the ordinariness of our lives (water) is mingled with the extraordinariness of the Divine Life (wine). This also serves to remind us of the dual nature of Christ, both God and human being, and that out of his side flowed water and blood. Adding water also 'stretches' the wine and 'thins' it. We also remember that the first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine - not grape juice.

     
 
     
 
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