Agape In literary circles the Greek term agapē (Latin: caritas) refers to the ideal of universal love, particularly, charitable Christian love among brothers and sisters of the human family.
As C. S. Lewis suggests in The Four Loves (1960), this is distinct from matrimonial, emotional, passionate-erotic and friendly love.
For many Christians, agape also refers to the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ.
The Eucharist is often connected with the Jewish Passover meal, an event signifying, among other things, fellowship.
Christians tend to stress that the Eucharistic meal is not just a celebration of fellowship. For Christians believing in the Eucharist, agape is a “love feast” that involves a genuine participation in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The rite is said to pierce through time and space and be sanctified from heaven.
For believers, the Eucharist is not a mere symbol nor memorial; rather, the host is essentially if not visibly transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
The roots of the Eucharist are traceable to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was believed that deceased ancestors partook of food and drink offered at funeral feasts.
Somewhat like the Eucharist, this was not just a memorial feast but an active celebration of the living and the dead. » Consubstantiation, Eros, Philia, Transubstantiation,
Image Credit:
- “Painting of a feast / Early Christian catacombs / Paleochristian art.
Fresco of female figure holding chalice in the Agape Feast. Catacomb of Saints Pietro e Marcellino (Saints Marcellinus and Peter), Via Labicana, Rome, Itally” » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Agape_feast_03.jpg
Add to this, report errors, suggest edits or voice your opinion
by posting a comment
The most widely used Christogram is a four-letter abbreviation ICXC — a traditional abbreviation of the Greek words for “Jesus Christ” a sacred name. It is sometimes rendered as “ICXC NIKA”, meaning “Jesus Christ Conquers.”
Prophecy 23rd October 2008
The Lord said, “ My people must take the bread and the wine as a ordinance daily, for I have commanded them to take it in remembrance of me, the one and only Saviour Jesus Christ.” Where two or three are gathered there am I in the midst , to strengthen and renew, saith the Lord.”
“If you are alone then you must seek and pray for me to send someone to you, so that you can take the Holy Communion together. It is very important for you to do this with someone, this command must be fulfilled in these troublesome days, and it is my command that you take the Holy Communion every day. Not every week, or every month, or every year, but daily.”
“For by doing this every day with a brother or sister, it will bring my strength and victory into your lives, renewing and strengthening you.”
“For my sacrifice on that cross, the emblem of suffering and shame has been changed into victory and everlasting life, through my resurrection body. The Lord saith that you do not need a Pastor, or a Priest, just a brother or a sister in the Lord, this is my command saith the Lord God Almighty.”
http://cornishevangelist.wordpress.com