transubstantiation

In Christian theology, the doctrine that the whole substance of the bread and wine, while retaining its outward appearance, changes into the substance of the body and blood of Jesus when consecrated in the Eucharist.

Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation, and that those who receive the consecrated bread and wine share in Jesus' death and resurrection. Other denominations disagree about the nature of the real presence of Jesus in the bread and wine, or the meaning of Jesus' words in the Gospels when he said that the bread was his body, and the wine, his blood.

The doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected by Protestant churches during the Reformation, although belief in the real presence was retained by some denominations. Some Protestant and Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine to be symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, which help them to commemorate the Last Supper. The Free Church views the Eucharist purely as an act of fellowship and commemoration.