Sacramental wine

Sacramental wine, even altar wine is the wine used in Christian worship in celebration of the Holy Mass or the Lord's Supper. In particular, in the Catholic Church sacramental wine has a special meaning. The production of sacramental wine is done in accordance with certain conditions laid down by the canons of natural purity and authenticity. Today these are met by the statutory regulations and provisions of law in wine quality wines.

Historical Aspects

Jesus founded the meal with his disciples on the eve of his death bread and wine as a lasting sign of his presence in the community. The roots of this celebration are in the Jewish Passover Seder, the beginning of Passover, commemorating the Jews in addition to various dishes blessed with four glasses of wine of the Exodus from Egypt.

Until about the mid-15th century, only red wine was used as sacramental wine for the Eucharist. 1478 was approved white wine for the first time by Pope Sixtus IV.

Since earlier wine falsification occurred numerous, the church adopted its own regulations for the natural purity and authenticity of the measuring wine and controlled the production.

Because of the religious significance which the converted through transubstantiation sacramental wine in the Catholic Church, explains why the Catholic Church has always maintained the viticulture and winemaking sustainable, preserved and refined. In addition to the use in the Eucharist wine was also used as consecrated wine varied as sacramental. With the global spread of Christianity also spread because of the liturgical requirement of sacramental wine of the vineyard.

During Prohibition in the United States sacramental wine was allowed as the only alcoholic beverage.

Catholic Church

Formerly used mainly red wine as sacramental wine is made predominantly of white wine for a long time for practical reasons. During the offertory, a little water is added to it.

A valid conversion can only be done with real wine according to Catholic understanding, but not with grape juice or wine, which does not meet the requirements of canon law. The church writes therefore proposes:

" The wine for the Eucharistic celebration must be from the fruit of the vine ( cf. Lk 22, 18 ) come and be naturally pure and unmixed, ie without addition of foreign material. With special care to make sure that the bread and wine, which are intended for the Eucharist are kept in perfect condition. That is, it is necessary to ensure that the wine does not turn into vinegar ( ... ). "

This basic rule has been repeatedly explained by measuring wine regulations, most recently in 1976. According to these regulations, the wine from grape must. Added sugars, non-authorized additions are prohibited. These requirements are now met wine legally in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from predicate wines. Furthermore, the addition of pure alcohol ( " spirit " ) of wine is allowed to wine, sherry or port therefore potentially eligible for sacramental wine in question. Table wine is not approved as sacramental wine because of its dilution. Even today it is common for suppliers of altar wine on the quality of their products (" pure, clear wine " ) to be sworn. In contrast to earlier times, when these oaths were large official events, the oath is done now only in writing. The admission of a wine as a sacramental wine is decided by the bishop, who reviewed and confirmed the measurement wines also every five years. Recipients of sacramental wine are obliged to purchase their wine at certified dealers.

Since 1994, it is in exceptional cases and with the express permission of the bishop also permissible to use instead of measuring wine grape. The prerequisite is that the priest may do so for health reasons no wine proven. Requirement is to say that the must was not changed in its nature. Therefore comes to preserving only the freezing of the question, because by sterilization is made ​​from must of grape juice.

Lay this problem arises generally rare, since every believer in the old and applicable in other churches teaching the body of Christ with the Host always fully receives. The chalice by the laity was also unusual, and sometimes even prohibited for practical reasons, long time. The reception of the consecrated wine was a matter reserved to the celebrant priest. This was from 14-15. Century the subject of intense controversy between the Catholic Church and the Reformers. Since the second Vatican Council, the chalice is allowed in the exhibition not only again for all Catholics present, but on certain days even strongly recommended. The rather rare occurrence is due to the practicality. For the implementation of the chalice Special rules apply.

Evangelical Church

In the Protestant church grape juice is used in many communities out of consideration for people addicted to alcohol. The exclusive use of grape juice is not permitted.

Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church is regulated by episcopal circulars that only wine may be related to the sacrament celebration. Isolated is only whether red or white wine is being used. Grape juice is categorically rejected on theological grounds, since there is not the certainty is to proceed in accordance with the institution of Christ. Alcohol withdrawal is possible under a form of communion. You will be served by the host body of Christ. After bekenntnislutherischem faith, the sacramental unity of the bread and the body of Christ on the one hand and wine and blood of Christ occurred namely the consecration by the priest on the other hand, so that the communicant in, with and under the bread and wine Christ's true body and His true blood with his mouth receives the forgiveness of sins.

Other churches

In many other churches ( in Germany: Free Churches ) grape juice is often used generally.