Real Presence
Christ truly present in the bread and wine — affirmed widely, explained in rival ways
Real Presence is the conviction that Christ is truly and really present in the eucharistic bread and wine. Early witnesses include Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and Cyril of Jerusalem. Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions affirm the presence, but they differ on how to explain it — through transubstantiation, sacramental union, and other accounts — while Reformed and memorialist traditions understand the Supper quite differently.
How it traveled
- 1 CorinthiansEphesus · 67explains
- JohnEphesus · 100explains
- The First ApologyRome · 165explains
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · 386explains
- The Great CatechismNyssa · 395explains
- On the MysteriesMilan · 397explains
- On the Holy SpiritMilan · 397explains
- Homilies on First CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the HebrewsConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John ChrysostomConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. JohnConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Treatise Concerning the Christian PriesthoodConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. JohnHippo Regius · 430explains
- Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New TestamentHippo Regius · 430explains
- The Ecclesiastical History, Dialogues, and Letters of TheodoretCyrrhus · 458explains
- The Letters and Sermons of Leo the GreatRome · 461explains
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · 1274explains
- An Invitation to Holy CommunionZwolle · 1471explains
- Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic ChurchGeneva · 1564explains
- Inquiry Concerning Qualification for CommunionNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
Key passages(20)
The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril · Cyril of Jerusalem
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
An Invitation to Holy Communion · Thomas à Kempis
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
An Invitation to Holy Communion · Thomas à Kempis
An Invitation to Holy Communion · Thomas à Kempis
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom
On the Mysteries · Ambrose of Milan
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas