communion
/kəˈmjuːnjən
/noun
1 [mass noun] The sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level: in this churchyard communion with the dead was almost palpable [in singular]: for a moment there was a blessed communion between them...
- I am in exclusive intimate spiritual communion with each of my devotees.
- The sheer joy of that intimate communion with nature; the contented peace we discover on the banks of running waters - that's what it's really all about.
- Their imaginations are dominated by the ghosts of the past, in intimate communion with the shimmering world of the dead.
1.1Shared participation in a mental or spiritual experience: the Coronation marked a high spot of national communion...
- This relation is not one of appropriation, possession, or passive representation of knowledge, but of communion and co-creative participation.
- Mutual participation or communion is an integral feature of Christian salvation.
- Making, breaking, and distributing bread carried profound connotations of friendship, communion, giving, sharing, justice.
Synonyms
affinity, fellowship, kinship, friendship, fellow feeling, community, togetherness, closeness, sharing, harmony, understanding, rapport, connection, communication, association, empathy, sympathy, agreement, accord, concord, unity
2 (often Communion or Holy Communion) The service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared: Communion was celebrated once a month [as modifier]: communion service communion wine...See Eucharist.
- It was worship, and was as essential to Communion as breaking the bread and drinking the cup.
- Christian practice of Communion is becoming more diverse
- Then, with burning hearts, we are ready for Jesus to reveal himself to us as we break bread with him at Communion.
2.1The consecrated bread and wine administered and received at Communion: the priests gave him Holy Communion...
- At Communion time, I stayed with the priest until I thought all the parishioners had received Communion.
- Six boys received their First Communion in the Sacred Heart Church last Sunday.
- As another example, we all know that when we receive Communion, we are receiving Jesus-body and blood, soul and divinity-and that he comes to live in us in a very special way.
3A relationship of recognition and acceptance between Christian Churches or denominations, or between individual Christians or Christian communities and a Church: the Eastern Churches are not in communion with Rome...
- Herein is the irreplaceable role of dialogue between the local community of Christians, and the communion of churches.
- For the first time, representatives of all churches in communion with Canterbury were assembled, and around the theme of common mission.
- Those churches in communion with Peter and the Orthodox are held to have a valid sacrament of orders.
3.1 [count noun] A group of Christian communities or Churches which recognize one another’s ministries or that of a central authority: the theology which had prevailed in the Roman communion...See also Anglican Communion.
- He courageously describes the discrimination and harm often visited upon one of Christianity's oldest communions - the Coptic Church.
- This document still serves as a primary point of reference for Anglican dialogue with other Christian communions.
- The advert says, ‘We are Christians, from different communions.’
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin communio(n-), from communis (see common).