Spoon (liturgy)

The Spoon (Greek: Κοχλιάριον, Kochliárion; Slavonic: Лжица, Lzhítza) is a liturgical implement used to distribute Holy Communion to the laity during the Divine Liturgy in some Eastern Christian rites.

In Western Christianity (within traditions such as Anglicanism,[1] Lutheranism,[2] and Methodism)[3] a perforated spoon is used to remove any foreign particulate matter that falls into the wine.

In time, concern over the danger of crumbs being accidentally dropped on the floor or some of the consecrated Blood of Christ (in the form of wine) being spilt, led to the use of tongs, with which the elements were mingled together and placed carefully into the mouths of the communicants.

With the Spoon in his right hand, he will pour some of the Blood of Christ onto the underside of the Lamb, where the cross had been cut with the Spear during the Proskomedie.

The Maronite Catholic Church stands as an exception, as the faithful are given Communion by dipping a part of the consecrated loaf into the chalice, usually held by a deacon, and His Body, intincted with His Blood, is then placed in the communicant's mouth by hand.