One of the most beautiful and mysterious elements of Orthodox Christianity is our belief that the Eucharist—Holy Communion—is not merely symbolic, but is in fact the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
To many Protestant or non-denominational Christians, this might sound surprising or even challenging. You might be saying: “Didn’t Jesus mean that figuratively?” Or, “Isn’t Communion just a memorial?”
Let’s explore why Orthodox Christians (and the early Church) believe Jesus meant what He said—literally.
What Did Jesus Actually Say?
In John 6:53–56, Jesus makes a bold, almost shocking statement:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.” (ESV)
Many of Jesus’ own followers were disturbed by these words. In fact, John 6:66 says, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” But Jesus didn’t soften His teaching. He let them walk away, affirming the seriousness of His words.
The Ancient Greek Tells Us He Was Speaking Literally
The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek, and this sheds even more light on what Jesus meant.
In Greek, there are two common ways to express “is”:
- εἰμί (eimi) – the standard verb “to be,” used for literal identity.
- σημαίνει (sēmainei) – meaning “signifies” or “symbolizes,” used for figurative speech.
When Jesus said at the Last Supper, “This is My body” (Matthew 26:26), the Greek reads:
τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ σῶμά μου
Touto estin to sōma mou
“This is My body.”
He used the verb ἐστιν (from εἰμί), the literal “is.”
He did not say, “This signifies My body” or “This represents My body.” That would have required the word σημαίνει—but Jesus didn't use that.
The same happens with the cup:
τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου (Matthew 26:28)
“This is My blood.”
Again, ἐστιν confirms a literal meaning.
The Early Church Believed in the Real Presence
This wasn’t a later invention. The earliest Christians—the direct spiritual descendants of the Apostles—firmly believed in the literal presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Here are a few early and powerful witnesses:
St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD)
A disciple of the Apostle John, he wrote:
“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins…”
(Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 7:1)
This is perhaps the clearest early testimony, and it shows how serious the Church took this teaching from the beginning.
St. Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD)
A Christian philosopher and apologist, Justin wrote:
“We do not receive these as common bread and common drink; but… the food which has been made into the Eucharist… is both the flesh and the blood of that incarnated Jesus.”
(First Apology, 66)
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD)
A student of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John:
“When the mixed cup and the baked bread receive the Word of God and become the Eucharist… how can they say that the flesh is not capable of receiving the gift of God, which is eternal life?”
(Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 2)
These early Church leaders unanimously affirm the real, substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This wasn’t metaphorical—it was foundational.
But Didn’t Jesus Say “Do This in Remembrance of Me”?
Yes, in Luke 22:19, Jesus says:
“Do this in remembrance of Me.”
But here’s the key: remembrance (Greek: ἀνάμνησιν, anamnēsin) in a Jewish context doesn’t mean a symbolic mental recall. It refers to a liturgical re-presentation—a sacred making-present of a past event.
In the Old Testament, the Passover wasn’t just a history lesson. Each time it was celebrated, the people believed they were mystically participating in the original event of liberation from Egypt. Jesus, the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), gives us a new covenant meal that brings us into His death and resurrection—not just symbolically, but really.
What Does St. Paul Say?
Even the Apostle Paul warns that to receive the Eucharist improperly is to sin against the body and blood of the Lord:
“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27)
If it were just a symbol, how could one be “guilty of the body and blood”? This only makes sense if the Church believed (as it still does) that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.
A Sacred Mystery
Orthodox Christians don’t claim to fully explain how the bread and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood. It is a mystery—a miracle of God’s grace. But we take Jesus at His word, and we receive the Eucharist as the Apostles and early Christians did: with reverence, faith, and awe.
The Eucharist isn’t just a memorial. It’s an encounter—with Christ Himself.
Conclusion: Jesus Meant What He Said
“Take, eat; this is My Body… Drink of it, all of you; for this is My Blood…”
He didn’t say “this represents” or “this symbolizes.” He said, “this is.”
Orthodox Christians simply take Jesus—and the Apostles—at their word. We believe that when we receive Communion, we receive Christ Himself.
If you’ve never encountered this teaching before, we invite you to explore it. Read the words of Scripture. Look at what the early Church taught. Ask questions. God desires not just to be remembered—but to be received.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine literally become Jesus’ body and blood?
- Yes. Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the actual Body and Blood of Christ, not merely symbols or representations. This is based on Jesus’ literal words at the Last Supper and the consistent teaching of the early Church.
- What does the Bible say about Communion being the real Body and Blood?
- In John 6, Jesus says, “My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.” At the Last Supper, He says, “This is My Body… This is My Blood.” The Greek word used (“ἐστιν”) means “is” in a literal sense, not symbolic.
- How did the early Christians understand the Eucharist?
- Early Church Fathers like St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Justin Martyr wrote that the Eucharist is truly the flesh and blood of Jesus. Their writings show that this belief was held universally in the first centuries of Christianity.
- How is the Orthodox belief different from most Protestant views?
- Many Protestant and non-denominational churches view Communion as symbolic—a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. Orthodox Christianity, however, teaches that Christ is truly and mysteriously present in the Eucharist.
- Is the transformation of the bread and wine explained scientifically?
- No. The Orthodox Church sees the Eucharist as a divine mystery, not something that can be fully explained in human terms. It’s accepted by faith, rooted in Christ’s words and the Apostolic tradition.