Communion:The Heart of the Early Christian Communities

(Lesson 2)

Communion

Latin word, communio that is related to the Greek word koinonia. Its basic meaning is “union with” (Kress, 1985, 35).

It is the heart of the early communities.It is the central notion for a common

understanding of the nature of the Church and its visible unity.

The Christian’s communion with Christ and with one another is the mighty force and power that binds them together.

From the early Christians, the word “communion” (koinonia) aptly describes what the Church truly is.

During the 2nd until the 5th centuries, the keywords applied to Church were “service” (diakonia) and “communion” (koinonia) (Prusak, 2004,2006)

It refers to the bond of unity resulting from a shared life in God and with one another.

The communion among Christians themselves flows from their mutual communion with God.

It is concretely expressed in relationships within the community.

Community is the expression of communion.

Swimme (1992) underscored the importance of relationship by saying:

“ To be is to be related, for relationship is the essence of existence”

God desires that all humankind will be gathered as one big community; this desire of God gathering His people serves as the foundation of the Church’s understanding and reflection on communion.

Trinity Is the source and origin of the Church, the Church has inherited the communion nature of the Trinity; the unity of the Trinitarian God. The communion of the Triune God within and with us serves as the basis model of our communion in the Church. The Trinity’s communion nature is mirrored be the Church’s communion (specifically in the local Church). The Triune God is the most profound source of life, love, and unity among various and many individual members, among various and many local Churches and also among all people of the world.

The objective of the Church is also the oneness in love with God with one another.

Just like in Trinity, there is also sharing and communication in the Church. For this reason, the Church is the greatest sacrament of divine communion and has the mission of gathering God’s scattered children together.

The Triune God is the exemplary image and icon and model of the Church’s life, and its mission.