REAL PRESENCE Meaning and
Definition
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Real presence, in religious terms, refers to the belief that during the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist or Lord's Supper), the body and blood of Jesus Christ are truly (or really) present in the elements of bread and wine. This doctrine is primarily held and emphasized by various Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions.
The concept of real presence is grounded in the belief that Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament at the Last Supper, instructing his disciples to partake of the bread and wine, which would become his body and blood. Advocates of the real presence understand it to be a mystical and spiritual reality, contrasting it with a purely symbolic understanding of the Eucharist.
According to this belief, the bread and wine, through the process of consecration performed by a priest or minister, undergo a transformative change known as transubstantiation in Catholic theology. Although the elements retain their physical properties, their substance is believed to be replaced by the true presence of Christ's body and blood, while their accidents (appearance, taste, etc.) remain unchanged.
The doctrine of real presence carries profound theological implications. It is understood to facilitate a union between the believer and Christ, deepening the spiritual connection and nourishing the soul. Devotees often regard the Eucharist as the central act of worship and a means of receiving divine grace, forgiveness, and salvation.
On a broader level, "real presence" can also be used more generally to describe the tangible or undeniable existence or influence of something or someone in a particular place or situation.
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In the R. Cath. Ch., the believed actual presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for REAL PRESENCE
- eeal presence
- deal presence
- feal presence
- teal presence
- 5eal presence
- 4eal presence
- rwal presence
- rsal presence
- rdal presence
- rral presence
- r4al presence
- r3al presence
- rezl presence
- resl presence
- rewl presence
- reql presence
- reak presence
- reap presence
- reao presence
Etymology of REAL PRESENCE
The term "real presence" has its origins in theological and philosophical discourse, primarily associated with Christian theology and specifically within the context of the Eucharist. Its etymology can be traced back to Latin:
1. Real: The term "real" comes from the Latin word "realis", which means "actual" or "existing". It is derived from the Latin word "res", which means "thing" or "matter".
2. Presence: The term "presence" originates from the Latin word "praesentia", which means "a being at hand" or "a state of being present". This word is formed from the prefix "prae-" meaning "before" or "in front of", and the present participle form of the verb "esse", which means "to be".
Similar spelling word for REAL PRESENCE
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