Nielsen’s Nook

Nielsen’s Nook
Nielsen’s Nook
Contemplative, reflective, and irenic we pray.
Print Print

Why is Water Mixed with Wine in the Eurcharist?

Will Nielsen
September 12th, 2008
Tags: • • • • • • •

I came across an interesting entry in The Anglican Tradition: a Handbook of Sources edited by G. R. Evans that caught my eye this morning while I was reading. A little water is customarily added to the wine during the consecration of the elements (BCP, 404). Buy why? How has this come to us and what is it attempting to communicate to those who participate in the Eucharist?

Part 3, §110, Evans directs us to the Council of Florence and the Decree for the Armenians:

Water is mixed in because, according to the testimony of the holy Fathers and Doctors of the Church mentioned in the preceding discussions, it is believed that our Lord himself instituted this sacrament with wine mixed with water. Furthermore, this is a fitting representation of our Lord’s passion. … For we read that both, that is, blood and water, flowed from the side of Christ’ (Evans, 120-1, c.f., John 19:34).

Further more, Revelation 17:15 appears to equate the waters with the people and so the mixing of water and wine marks out the union that is celebrated at the Eucharist between Christ and His people.

For we see that the water represents the people and the wine manifests the blood of Christ. Thus, when wine and water are mixed in the chalice, the people are united with Christ, and the faithful people are closely joined to him in whom they believe.’ (Evans, 121)

Something to say?

View blog authority