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The Holy Eucharist

The Holy Qurbono

The word Qurbana — from the Syriac Kurbono — means offering, gift, oblation, and sacrifice. It is the central and most beautiful act of the Church's worship.

The word "Qurbana" carries many meanings — offering, gift, oblation, sacrifice, present. It takes its origin from the Syriac word Kurbono. As no single word fully conveys its meaning in other languages, the same word is adopted across languages with only slight change. In the Old Testament, wherever 'sacrifice' or 'offering' is intended, the word Kurbono is used in the Syriac Bible.

Aspects of the Holy Qurbana

  1. 01

    Worship and Sacrament

    The Holy Qurbana is a systematic form of public worship, most beautiful and exhilarating. It is also an important sacrament — above all, it is the perfector of sacraments. It was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who specially entrusted it to his disciples. It is food and salvation for our souls. We are connected to him by his body and blood of the Messiah through this sacrament. Therefore it is magnificent, it excels everything, and is truly attractive.

    Melchizedek, the chief priest of God who lived at the time of Abraham, made an offering in bread and wine as a foreshadowing of this sacrament. Genesis 14:18 — "Then Melchizedek King of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High." During the Old Testament days it was celebrated as the sacrifice of innocent lambs as a wondrous example. At the fullness of time it was fulfilled in the holy body of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. It is being commemorated by the Church through this sacrament till the end of the world. This sacred sacrament is full of several great and deep mysteries.

  2. 02

    Visible and Invisible Acts

    Our Lord once for all died on the cross for us — it will not be repeated. The Holy Qurbana, the remembrance of which kindles our faith, leads us to a new spiritual experience. In it, past, present, and future are all combined.

    Even though our Lord is now invisible, he is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven and offers the living sacrifice to God, the creator of all, on behalf of us all in calm and peace. We are made part and parcel of this sacrifice. The Lord himself, as the chief celebrant, is celebrating this sacred act, which is mercy, peace, sacrifice, and thanksgiving. In the Holy Qurbana the celebrant is the priest, but he truly represents the Lord. The Holy Qurbana is the union of the visible and the invisible, wonderfully and excellently made one.

  3. 03

    The Holy Sacrifice

    The Holy Qurbana is the remembrance of the Holy Sacrifice accomplished on Calvary once for all. Romans 12:1 — "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship." The Holy Qurbana is a spiritual sacrifice. Like Abraham, who prepared to offer his son Isaac as sacrifice, we too should offer ourselves as sacrifice for the remission of our sins. In the Holy Qurbana, we ourselves are the sacrifice.

  4. 04

    A Service of Thanksgiving

    The Holy Qurbana is a sacrament through which we express our gratitude and thanks to God, who protects us in wondrous ways. When we pray with the priest, "O God, make us worthy to offer you this service of thanksgiving as the sweet fragrance of incense," we begin to understand the remarkable magnitude of this service.

  5. 05

    Full of Meaning

    There is great meaning in all things done in the Holy Qurbana — it enables us to touch the heart of man. The melodies heard are sweet and make us glad. The thoughtful prayers reveal the eternal truths. Every act done has deep meaning: there is intention for every colour seen, purpose for every step taken, significance for every vestment worn. Every word uttered depicts a mysterious action of the heart and reminds us of the experiences of heaven. All the materials used stand for one or another thing and make us thoughtful, whereby all five senses of man are brought into full action.

    Sight gives the eyes delight, song gives the ears pleasantness, the fragrance of incense gives the nose sweetness, the bread and wine give the tongue their taste, and the skin is given occasion to touch. Body, mind, and heart are brought into full action.

    In short, the Holy Qurbana is an act full of meaning. We are made to see the Holy Sacrifice of our Lord with body, mind, and soul — and as thanksgiving, it enables us to submit ourselves as the Passover Lamb of the New Testament, to eat the manna of the New Testament, and to renew the covenant of the New Testament with his blood.