The Eucharist in Anglican Tradition: Historical, Theological, and Ecclesial Significance

Jul 07, 2025

The most profoundly communally connected experience I have as an Episcopal (Anglican) Priest is standing before the congregation and presiding at the Eucharist. I recite the words that have been uttered across the world and across time. From jungles to basilicas, in times of celebration and while bombs fall. Instituted by Christ, this enduring liturgy is one of the last holdouts in this rapidly cycling content world.

The Eucharist stands at the heart of Anglican spirituality and theology, weaving together centuries of tradition, profound theological insights, and the very essence of church identity. To truly grasp its meaning within Anglicanism, I journey back through the transformative era of the Reformation, delve into theological themes—such as the mystery of Real Presence, the richness of sacrifice, the living memory of anamnesis, and the anticipation of eschatological hope—and finally, explore how this sacred meal continually forms and nourishes the community as the Body of Christ.

Historical Significance: Evolution Through Reformation and Beyond

Anglican Eucharistic theology underwent significant development during the English Reformation, particularly under the leadership of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. Prior to being burned at the stake on March 21, 1556, Cranmer’s shift from the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation to a nuanced understanding of Christ’s "True Presence" reflected both scriptural fidelity and Continental Reformation influences (Brooks, 1992). Central to Cranmer’s approach was the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), first published in 1549 and revised in 1552, which standardized Eucharistic liturgy around themes of remembrance and thanksgiving while maintaining a moderate theological realism. The BCP became not merely a liturgical text but a defining theological statement of Anglican identity, articulating a Eucharistic theology distinct from Roman Catholic and radical Protestant positions. This fine text is still in active use today.

Richard Hooker further refined Anglican Eucharistic thought by integrating Augustine’s sacramental theology with Calvinist influences. Hooker's moderate realism viewed the Eucharist as an intimate spiritual participation in Christ’s body, carefully avoiding both overly literal and purely symbolic interpretations (Grislis, 2003). Through Hooker, Anglicanism situated itself firmly in a balanced theological tradition that preserved both continuity with the historic church and openness to reformational insights.

The Anglican Eucharistic tradition thus matured through an intentional synthesis of patristic, medieval, and Reformation sources. This historical development provided Anglican theology with its distinctive character, striking a balance between Catholic sacramentalism and Protestant scriptural fidelity (Douglas, 2011a; Friesen, 2014).

Theological Significance: Presence, Sacrifice, Anamnesis, and Eschatology

Theologically, Anglican Eucharistic doctrine emphasizes four key dimensions:

Real Presence

The concept of Real Presence in Anglicanism is intentionally moderate. While explicitly rejecting the scholastic precision of transubstantiation, Anglican theologians from Cranmer onwards affirm that Christ is genuinely and truly present in the Eucharist spiritually and effectively. The Eucharistic elements thus truly mediate Christ’s presence without necessitating physical transformation. This moderate realism, as articulated in recent scholarship (Friesen, 2014; Brooks, 1992), ensures Eucharistic reverence without adopting literalistic interpretations that contradict Reformation sensibilities.

Sacrifice

Anglican Eucharistic theology also preserves sacrificial language, though it carefully distinguishes between the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ and the Eucharistic act. Cranmer described the Eucharist as a "sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving," underscoring its spiritual and communal dimensions (Brooks, 1992). Recent scholarship emphasizes the continuity of this sacrificial understanding from early Christian texts like the Didache, interpreting the Church's participation in the Eucharist as an offering united with Christ’s eternal sacrifice (Browning, 2024). Thus, Anglicans maintain a robust but nuanced theology of sacrifice.

Anamnesis (Remembrance)

Central to Anglican Eucharistic theology is anamnesis, the liturgical remembrance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. This remembrance is more than memorial; it is the active re-presentation of Christ’s salvific acts, dynamically connecting past, present, and future. Gittoes (2008) and Browning (2024) highlight anamnesis as integrative—linking historical tradition, contemporary experience, and ecclesial identity into one unified celebration.

Eschatology

Finally, Anglican theology maintains that the Eucharist is inherently eschatological, pointing believers towards the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom. As the Eucharist anticipates the heavenly banquet promised in scripture, Anglican liturgies underscore this hope by referring explicitly to future fulfillment and eschatological consummation (Browning, 2024; Gittoes, 2008).

Ecclesial Significance: Forming the Body of Christ

Beyond historical evolution and theological nuance, the Eucharist plays a profound ecclesial role in the Anglican tradition. It is foundational for ecclesial identity, shaping the community as the Body of Christ. Anglican theology holds that Eucharistic participation both expresses and forms ecclesial unity. The liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer consistently reinforces communal identity, emphasizing that through sharing "one bread," the Church becomes "one body" (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Moreover, Anglicanism has long emphasized that the Eucharist drives the Church’s mission and pastoral care. Through anamnesis and intercession, the Eucharist engages the Church in Christ’s compassionate presence in the world (Browning, 2024).

The Book of Common Prayer itself embodies Anglican ecclesial theology, structuring communal life around Eucharistic worship that unites historical fidelity, theological integrity, and pastoral sensitivity. Its regular use throughout Anglican history demonstrates the Eucharist's role not merely as theological doctrine but as the lifeblood of ecclesial community.

Conclusion

Within the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, the Eucharist is historically foundational, theologically nuanced, and ecclesially formative. Rooted deeply in Reformation insights and enriched by ancient patristic wisdom, Anglican Eucharistic theology carefully balances presence with memorial, sacrifice with thanksgiving, and earthly participation with heavenly hope. Through liturgical practices profoundly shaped by the Book of Common Prayer, the Eucharist continues to define and nourish Anglican identity, mission, and communal life, embodying the essence of the Church as the living Body of Christ.

Yet, beyond its rich theological and historical depth, the Eucharist invites each of us personally into an experience of profound connection. I invite you—whether familiar or new to this sacred practice—to approach the Eucharist not merely as observers but as active participants. In doing so, you will encounter not just words and symbols, but the transformative grace, renewing presence, and enduring hope found uniquely in this timeless sacrament. Come, taste and see the goodness of God; become part of the living story of redemption, communion, and unending love.

References

Brooks, P. (1992). Thomas Cranmer’s Doctrine of the Eucharist: An Essay in Historical Development.
Browning, R. (2024). Intercession and Anamnesis in the Eucharist. Journal of Anglican Studies.
Douglas, B. (2011a). A Companion to Anglican Eucharistic Theology: Volume 1: The Reformation to the 19th Century.
Friesen, P. (2014). Review of A Companion to Anglican Eucharistic Theology.
Gittoes, J. (2008). Anamnesis and the Eucharist: Contemporary Anglican Approaches.
Grislis, E. (2003). Reflections on Richard Hooker’s Understanding of the Eucharist.
(All references from analysis of attached document)