A chalice is a liturgical vessel, a deep footed cup used for consecrating wine during the Holy Communion. In ancient times, such vessels were carved from wood. Around the 3rd century AD, glass bowls appeared, and a century later — gold and silver chalices with engraving, enamel decorations or precious stone inlays.
The chalice from the collection of the Bishop’s House is a large cup of gilded silver. The round bowl has a small bent thin border along the edge. The outer side is decorated with engraved patterns. The body of the chalice depicts the figures of Christ, the Mother of God, John the Baptist, and the eight-pointed cross of Calvary, on which Jesus was crucified. Also in the pattern, one can see the so-called Instruments of Passion — a spear that pierced the body of the Savior, and the sponge with which he was given vinegar to drink instead of water.
Just below the bottom of the cup, there is a gilded round thickening called an “apple”. It makes the chalice more stable, and it is easier to hold it. In addition, the so-called “apple” has a symbolic meaning: it symbolizes paradise. Similar thickenings decorate staffs of metropolitans, altar crosses, and other items of church decoration. Besides the “apple”, the foot is decorated with embossed patterns.
The stem of the chalice gradually flares to the bottom and turns into a round base. It is decorated with the images of three cherubim with their wings spread and a wide gilded band.
It is believed, that the vessel and its foot symbolize the dual nature of Christ — divine and human. Also, the chalice is associated with the cup of suffering and sorrow: Jesus drank from it to save people from their sins.
Communion, or the Eucharist, is one of the seven major sacraments in Orthodoxy. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ was the first to do it. This event entered the New Testament as the Last Supper. The Savior gave his disciples the Holy Communion with the gifts of wine and bread, which represented his flesh and blood. At the same time, Christ commanded all clergymen to administer the same sacrament. In addition, baptism, chrismation, anointing, wedding, penance, priesthood, and anointing of sick were among the obligatory rites.
The chalice from the collection of the Bishop’s House is a large cup of gilded silver. The round bowl has a small bent thin border along the edge. The outer side is decorated with engraved patterns. The body of the chalice depicts the figures of Christ, the Mother of God, John the Baptist, and the eight-pointed cross of Calvary, on which Jesus was crucified. Also in the pattern, one can see the so-called Instruments of Passion — a spear that pierced the body of the Savior, and the sponge with which he was given vinegar to drink instead of water.
Just below the bottom of the cup, there is a gilded round thickening called an “apple”. It makes the chalice more stable, and it is easier to hold it. In addition, the so-called “apple” has a symbolic meaning: it symbolizes paradise. Similar thickenings decorate staffs of metropolitans, altar crosses, and other items of church decoration. Besides the “apple”, the foot is decorated with embossed patterns.
The stem of the chalice gradually flares to the bottom and turns into a round base. It is decorated with the images of three cherubim with their wings spread and a wide gilded band.
It is believed, that the vessel and its foot symbolize the dual nature of Christ — divine and human. Also, the chalice is associated with the cup of suffering and sorrow: Jesus drank from it to save people from their sins.
Communion, or the Eucharist, is one of the seven major sacraments in Orthodoxy. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ was the first to do it. This event entered the New Testament as the Last Supper. The Savior gave his disciples the Holy Communion with the gifts of wine and bread, which represented his flesh and blood. At the same time, Christ commanded all clergymen to administer the same sacrament. In addition, baptism, chrismation, anointing, wedding, penance, priesthood, and anointing of sick were among the obligatory rites.
