Achalice (fromLatincalix 'cup', taken from theAncient Greekκύλιξ (kylix) 'cup') is a drinkingcup raised on a stem with a foot or base. Although it is a technical archaeological term, in modern parlance the word is now used almost exclusively for the cups used inChristian liturgy as part of a service of theEucharist, such as aCatholic mass. These are normally made of metal, but neither the shape nor the material is a requirement. Most have no handles, and in recent centuries the cup at the top has usually been a simple flared shape.
Historically, the same shape was used for elite secular vessels, and many individual examples have served both secular and liturgical uses over their history, for example theLacock Cup andRoyal Gold Cup, both late medieval cups. Cups owned by churches were much more likely to survive, as seculardrinkware in precious metal was usually melted down when it fell out of fashion.
The same general cup shape is also called agoblet (fromOld Frenchgobellet,diminutive ofgobel 'cup'), normally in secular contexts. This remains current as a term forwineglasses and otherstemware, most of which have a goblet shape, withParis goblet as a trade term for basic rounded wineglasses. The modern French termgobelet has developed differently, and is used for different shapes such as theGobelet André Falquet and RomanLyon Cup, both stemless.
Theancient Romancalix was a cup or drinking vessel, probably rather vaguely defined as to its exact shape. But most consisted of a bowl on a stem over a foot or base; handles were probably optional. The Greekkylix, at least as defined by modern authorities, was a far wider and more shallow bowl on some sort of stem, with two horizontal handles. It is the most common wine cup seen in paintings ofsymposium drinking parties. Gradually the term became more or less restricted to cups for liturgical use.[1]
InRoman Catholicism,Eastern Orthodox Church,Oriental Orthodoxy,Anglicanism,Lutheranism and some otherChristian denominations, a chalice is a standing cup used to holdsacramental wine during theEucharist (also called the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion). Chalices are often made of precious metal, and they are sometimes richlyenamelled andjewelled. Generally they have no handles.
Chalices have been used since theearly Church. Because ofJesus' command to hisdisciples to "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19), andPaul's account of the Eucharistic rite in1 Corinthians 11:24–25, the celebration of the Eucharist became central toChristian liturgy. Naturally, the vessels used in this important act of worship were highly decorated and treated with great respect. A number of early examples of chalices have a large bowl and two vertical handles, reflecting classical cup shapes such as thekantharos andskyphos. Over time, the size of the bowl diminished and the base became larger for better stability. Eventually, official church regulations dictated the construction, blessing, and treatment of chalices. Some religious traditions still require that the chalice, at least on the inside of the cup, be gold-plated.[2]
InWestern Christianity, chalices will often have a knop, pommel or node where the stem meets the cup to make theelevation easier. In Roman Catholicism, chalices of recent centuries tend to have quite narrow cups. Roman Catholic priests will often receive chalices from members of their families when firstordained.
InEastern Christianity (Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox andEastern Catholic churches), chalices will often haveicons enameled or engraved on them, as well as a cross. In Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism, all communicants receive both theBody of Christ and theBlood of Christ. To accomplish this, a portion of theLamb (host) is placed in the chalice, and then the faithful receive Communion on aspoon. For this reason, eastern chalices tend to have larger, rounded cups. In theRussian Orthodox Church, the faithful will often kiss the "foot" (base) of the chalice after receiving Holy Communion. In other traditions, they will kiss the cup. Although Orthodoxmonks are not permitted to hold personal possessions, thecanons permit ahieromonk (i.e., a monk who has been ordained to the priesthood) to keep a chalice and other vessels necessary to celebrate theDivine Liturgy.
In the early and medieval church, when adeacon was ordained, he would be handed a chalice during the service as a sign of his ministry. In the West the deacon carries the chalice to thealtar at theoffertory; in the East, the priest carries the chalice and the deacon carries thepaten (diskos). Only wine, water and a portion of the Host are permitted to be placed in the chalice, and it may not be used for any profane purpose.
The chalice is considered to be one of the most sacred vessels in Christian liturgical worship, and it is often blessed before use. In the Roman Catholic Church and some Anglo-Catholic churches, it was the custom for a chalice to beconsecrated by beinganointed withchrism, and this consecration could only be performed by abishop orabbot (only for use within his ownmonastery).[3] Among the Eastern Churches, there are varying practices regarding blessing. In some traditions, the very act of celebrating theSacred Mysteries (Eucharist) is the only blessing necessary; in others, there is a special rite of blessing. In some Eastern traditions, this blessing may be done only by a bishop, in some it may be done by a priest.
InChristian tradition, theHoly Chalice is the vessel which Jesus used at theLast Supper to serve the wine. New Testament texts make no mention of the cup except within the context of theLast Supper and give no significance whatsoever to the object itself. Herbert Thurston in theCatholic Encyclopedia 1908 concluded that "No reliable tradition has been preserved to us regarding the vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper. In the sixth and seventh centuries pilgrims to Jerusalem were led to believe that the actual chalice was still venerated in the church of the Holy Sepulchre, having within it the sponge which was presented to Our Saviour on Calvary." Several surviving standing cups of precious materials are identified in local traditions as the Chalice.
An entirely different and pervasive tradition concerns the cup of theLast Supper. In this highly muddled though better-known version, the vessel is known as theHoly Grail. In this legend, Jesus used the cup at the Last Supper to institute theMass.Other stories claim that Joseph of Arimathea used the cup to collect and store the blood of Christ at the Crucifixion.
At the opening of Unitarian Universalist worship services, many congregations light a flame inside a chalice.[4] Aflaming chalice is the most widely used symbol ofUnitarianism andUnitarian Universalism (UU), and the official logo of theUnitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and other Unitarian and UU churches and societies.[5] The design was originated by the artist Hans Deutsch, who took his inspiration from the chalices of oil burned on ancientGreek andRomanaltars. It became an underground symbol inoccupied Europe duringWorld War II for assistance to help Unitarians, Jews, and other people escapeNazi persecution.[6] The chalice is often shown surrounded by two linked rings. The two linked rings were used as an early symbol for the Unitarian Universalist Association, signifying the joining of Unitarianism and Universalism.
There is no standardized interpretation of the flaming chalice symbol. In one interpretation, the chalice is a symbol of religious freedom from the impositions of doctrine by a hierarchy and openness to participation by all; the flame is interpreted as a memorial to those throughout history who sacrificed their lives for the cause of religious liberty. In another interpretation, the flaming chalice resembles a cross, symbolic of the Christian roots of Unitarian Universalism.[5]
InWicca, a chalice, as a feminine principle, is often used in combination with theAthame (ceremonial black-handled knife), as male principle. Combining the two evokes the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity. This is a symbol of theGreat Rite inWiccan rituals. A chalice is also used in theSmall Rite.
Some other forms ofNeo-Paganism make use of chalices in their rituals as well. A chalice may be placed on analtar or on the ground. The chalice may contain wine,whiskey, water, or other liquids. It is used to represent the genitalia of the goddess or female deity.
Rastafaris sometimes smokeganja in achalice (waterpipe orbong) during an activity calledreasoning intended to put participants in touch with peaceful feelings, unity, and "consciousness."[citation needed]
The term "poisoned chalice" is applied to a thing or situation which appears to be good when it is received or experienced by someone, but then becomes or is found to be bad. The idea was referred to byBenedict of Nursia in one of hisexorcisms, found on theSaint Benedict Medal:Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas! ('Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!').
William Shakespeare uses the expression in Act I Scene VII ofMacbeth. It occurs in the opening soliloquy of the scene when Macbeth is considering the ramifications of the murder he is plotting.
But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips. [1.7.7–12]
The use of chalices asheraldic devices is not unusual, especially inecclesiastical heraldry. A number of cities and regions also make use of the chalice. For instance, thecoat of arms of the municipality ofFanas in the district ofPrättigau/Davos in theSwiss canton ofGraubünden bears a gold chalice on a solid blue background. The coat of arms ofStaufen im Breisgau contains the three golden chalices (i.e.drei staufen in ancient German) of theLords of Staufen [de], advocates of the monastery ofSt. Trudpert. A golden chalice (or in some instances three or five) on blue background has been used as coat of arms for theKingdom of Galicia since at least the late Middle Ages, and is still central in its renewed heraldry.
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In French-Canadian culture, particularly in and around Quebec, the use of the names of holy objects such as "câlice" (a variation of calice, which is the French word for chalice) can be an alternate form of cursing. Somewhat equivalent to the American word "goddam" or the phrase "God damn it", the use of "câlice" or "tabarnak" (a variation of tabernacle) as an interjection is not uncommon in Quebec. For example: "Câlice! I forgot to lock the front door" or muttering "tabarnak" under one's breath after they get a flat tire. This is presumably a derivation of "taking the Lord's name in vain".[7]
With reference to theHussite movement in theKingdom of Bohemia, besides religious use, the chalice also became one of the unofficial national symbols of theCzechs. It is frequently used in Czech national symbolism and it is part of many historical banners.
The dictionary definition ofchalice at Wiktionary
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