EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION AS A MEANS OF UNITY OF LOCAL CHURCHES: HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, MALANYAK Andrii 
Published: December 2024

Background.The topic of the article "Eucharistic communication as a means of unity of local churches" reveals the issue of the unity of Christian churches, especially in the conditions of modern conflicts, globalization and ecumenical efforts, which is extremely important. The Eucharist remains a central aspect of Christian worship and serves as a powerful symbol of the unity of believers with Christ and with one another. Studying the role of the Eucharist in a historical context helps to understand how the common communion helped to overcome conflicts and preserve church unity in times of heresies and schisms. The study is based on the works of such authors as Kimberly Hope Belcher, who in her speech at a conference at Calvin University considered the properties of the Eucharist in the context of unity and communication, D. McHardy studied the role of the priesthood and the Eucharist in the field of religious studies, J. Hopkins and J. Pelikan reveal religiously – the historical symbolism and significance of this rite as a key instrument of church unity. In the modern context, in particular against the background of interfaith and intercultural interactions, the topic of Eucharistic communication acquires special importance as a tool of inter-church dialogue and a means of reconciliation. The Eucharist continues to be a key element of ecumenical efforts, making this topic a hot topic for consideration in academic and church circles.Methods. The article "Eucharistic communication as a means of unity of local churches" uses several research methods that helped to deeply analyze the role of the Eucharist in inter-church relations. The main methods used are historical and theological analysis, where biblical narratives, theological doctrines and historical events that emphasize the role of the Eucharist in strengthening the unity of churches through common communion are examined in detail. A comparative method was also used, comparing Orthodox and Catholic traditions regarding the importance of the Eucharist for the unity of churches. This helps to reveal similarities and differences in approaches to Eucharistic communication between these traditions. Results. The study confirmed that the Eucharist plays a key role in maintaining and strengthening spiritual unity between local churches. Through joint communion, believers of different churches express mutual recognition, which contributes to the preservation of the unity of Christian communities even in the presence of administrative or political differences. At the same time, the study found that contemporary challenges, such as different liturgical practices and cultural differences, complicate ecumenical efforts. Common Eucharistic communication remains an important tool for restoring the unity of Christian denominations. This emphasizes that ecumenical efforts aimed at achieving mutual understanding through liturgical practices can become the basis for a deepened dialogue between the churches, which can play a positive role in the future. Сonclusions. The Eucharist plays a central role in strengthening unity between local churches, not only as a sacred ritual, but also as a tool to overcome heresies and support inter-church dialogue. Despite the different approaches of the Orthodox and Catholic traditions to the interpretation of unity through the Eucharist, it remains an important means of ecumenical efforts and spiritual rapprochement in the face of modern challenges and cultural differences. In a globalized world, the Eucharist remains an important tool for interfaith dialogue, although different liturgical traditions and sacral peculiarities can make it difficult to achieve complete unity.