| Many people are quite familiar with the communion | | | | faith would go for it. |
| chalice, but most have no idea why it is important in | | | | The communion chalice is one of the most important |
| the Christian faith as well as it's meaning. | | | | vessel used in many Christian ceremonies. You can |
| The chalice is also more commonly known as the | | | | find plenty of types of chalices and their uses |
| communion cup. It is considered to be one of the | | | | depending on the church denomination or religion |
| most popular among the sacred vessels. Essentially, a | | | | that's using them. |
| chalice is used in most Christian ceremonies and | | | | The design is different for each church that used |
| masses as a cup that holds the wine. | | | | them as well. For instance, in western Christianity the |
| Some of the churches that use this vessel include | | | | cups had a small node where the stem met the cup. |
| Catholics, Eastern Orthodox churches, Anglicans, | | | | This allowed the cup to be easily picked up. |
| Lutherans and other Christian sects. | | | | In Catholicism, before the Vatican II, the cups were |
| Most of the time, a chalice is made from either gold | | | | created with a tulip shape and were generally quite |
| or silver and decorated in various stones. Back in the | | | | slim since only the priests were the only ones that |
| day, the gold goblet was something that symbolized | | | | used them. |
| family. | | | | Today, however, all people who are to take |
| Moreover, the chalices back then looked like a goblet | | | | communion can drink from the chalice or any form of |
| with two handles at either side. Throughout the | | | | cup to also partake of the blood of Christ. |
| centuries, however, the look of the chalice has | | | | On the other hand, in Eastern Christianity, which |
| changed although its main significance remained the | | | | includes the Orthodox churches; the chalices were |
| same. | | | | often decorated with icons and even the cross. All of |
| The chalice as a vessel was treated with great | | | | the people that took the communion were also able |
| reverence and often kept in a sacred place. Most of | | | | to drink from the chalice itself. |
| the time, when people hear of the word chalice or | | | | As you can see, the chalice has had many facets and |
| communion cup they automatically think 'holy grail' or | | | | even today, variations of its looks are still present. |
| the cup that Christ used in the Last Supper. | | | | These cups are still seen as an important part of the |
| This came about when pilgrims back in the 6th and | | | | sacrament and the faith. They are essentially used to |
| 7th century believed that there was a sect that still | | | | symbolically hold the blood of Christ. |
| held the original cup that Christ used. However, this | | | | The sanctity is still being revered and in fact, in the |
| turned out to be unfounded. | | | | Catholic Church, whenever the communion chalice is |
| Nevertheless, it showed just how important the cup | | | | used, it is actually blessed first and anointed. |
| was and how far those who believe in the Christian | | | | |