Sacramental bread, sometimes called the
Lamb,
Host or simply
Communion Bread, is the bread which is used in the Christian ritual of the
Eucharist.
The Eastern Orthodox Church continues the ancient practice of using leavened bread for the Eucharist. Thus, the sacramental bread symbolizes the Resurrected Christ. The sacramental bread, known as prosphora, may be made out of only four ingredients
Sometimes, holy water will be either sprinkled into the dough or on the kneading trough at the beginning of the process.
The baking may only be performed by a believing Orthodox Christian in good standing—having preferably been recently to Confession, and is accompanied by prayer and fasting. Before baking, each loaf is formed by placing two disks of dough, one on top of the other, and stamping it with a special liturgical seal. The prosphora should be fresh and not stale or moldy when presented at the altar for use in the Divine Liturgy. Often several prosphora will be baked and the priest shall choose the best one for the Lamb (Host) that will be consecrated.
