illustrates the sacrament of Baptism as interpreted within  the  doctrines  of  different  Christian  churches. Eucharist Since the second century the term eucharist has been used as the rite that represents the heart of Christian worship. This rite was founded in the last supper of Jesus.  Eucharist  comes  from  the  Greek  word Eucharistia  (meaning  thanksgiving)  and  refers  to  the Jewish prayer before eating or drinking in which the Jews  blessed  or  thanked  God  by  recalling  and acknowledging  what  God  had  done  for  His  people. Jesus would have used such a prayer himself at the last supper. This practice evolved into the Eucharistic prayer of later Christian rites. Other names used within many Christian faith groups for the eucharist are communion, Eucharistic sacrifice, or love feast. Although the Eucharistic rite may take several forms, the use of bread and wine is common to  most  Christian  churches.  The  bread  may  be  leaven or unleaven and the wine can be in the form of wine, grape juice, or water. The  different  Christian  faith groups will use a variety of methods for serving the eucharist.  Figure  1-6  illustrates  some  of  the  different forms of the Eucharistic rite. The subject of the eucharist is unquestionably one of the most sensitive issues of Christian faith. Some faith groups observe the eucharist at every worship service. To many Christians, the Eucharistic rite in effect transforms the bread and wine into the body and blood  of  Christ  through  the  action  of  the  chaplain, ordained  clergy,  or  priest.  To  other  Christians,  the purpose of eating the bread and drinking the wine is symbolic of a thankful remembrance of Christ’s death. The Reformation rejected the notion that Christ was in the  eucharist  and  rejected  the  idea  of  transformation. Instead, Reformers held the view that Christ was present only to the worthy communicant through the reception of  the  elements.  All  agreed  that  there  could  be  no celebration of the eucharist unless a substantial number of  the  congregation  received  communion  with  the minister. Today, some churches are trying to restore the eucharist to the place it had in early Christian practice, as the central service of the church every Sunday, and as  a  corporate  celebration  by  the  congregation  rather than  merely  an  opportunity  for  individuals  to  receive communion. Whatever form the ritual of the eucharist takes, you must treat both the subject and the acts of eucharist and communion as sacred and worthy of high reverence. In the following paragraphs, we will talk about weddings and funerals. To many Christians, weddings and  funerals  are  considered  to  be  sacraments  or  holy rites.  In  addition  to  birth,  baptism,  and  entry  into adulthood, weddings and funerals are central to the Christian life cycle. Let’s take a brief look at each of these  important  events. WEDDINGS When a Christian man and woman agree to live together  permanently,  to  become  husband  and  wife  and have a family, their agreement is called a marriage. In Christianity, as in most religions, marriage also involves a   religious   ceremony   known   as   a   wedding.   The Christian   marriage   ceremony   is   performed   by   a chaplain, clergy, minister, or priest and takes place in an RMF, church, or chapel. Marriage  Doctrine Many Christian faith groups consider marriage to be  a  sacrament  and  do  not  allow  divorce. Many Christians consider marriage to be holy because St. Paul compared  the  relationship  between  a  husband  and  wife to the relation between Jesus and the Church. The marriage of one man to one woman is called monogamy. All Christian marriages are monogamous. If a man marries more than one woman, or a woman marries more than one man, it is a polygamous marriage. Although   the   Mormons,   under   Brigham   Young, permitted  polygamy,  this  practice  has  never  been widespread in America because of the religious and social customs forbidding it. An important purpose of Christian marriage is the family,  wherein  children  are  loved,  sheltered,  and educated in a Christian way. This means that the family is  the  foundation  of  Christian  society. Marital Laws In the United States, no one may be married against his or her will. Typically, a woman has to be 18 years old and a man 21 years old before they may marry. If they are younger, they must have the consent of their parents. Each state has its own marrage laws, but most states  require  the  following  legal  conditions: 1. There must be one or more witnesses to the marriage  ceremony. 1-16