Twelve articles by which doubters or unbelievers are convinced of the transubstantiation of bread into the Body and wine into the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ through the demonstration of many images

The essay “Twelve Articles by Which Those Who Doubt or Unbelieve Are Convinced of the Transubstantiation of Bread into the Body and Wine into the Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ through the Display of Many Images” was written by St. Demetrius of Rostov to defend the Orthodox dogma of the transubstantiation (translation) of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ during the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The saint explains the supernatural truths of faith through images and analogies from the surrounding world that are accessible to human understanding (sun, voice, mirror, candle). The text addresses the following questions: - the omnipotence of God as the basis for belief in the possibility of transubstantiation; - the incomprehensibility for the human mind of the way Christ is simultaneously in Heaven and at the sacrificial meal; - the integrity of the Body of Christ in every particle of the Holy Gifts; - incorruptibility and incorruptibility of the Body and Blood of Christ after consecration; - spiritual preparation of the believer for the worthy reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist (self-examination, purity of faith, reconciliation with neighbors). 1. If any person doubts or does not believe in the holy Divine Mystery, in which the bread found at the table is transformed into the Body and wine into the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and become His true Body and Blood in sacred service, then every Orthodox Christian should ask him this way: can God do anything greater than man and higher than his mind? And when he answers: yes, maybe, tell him: why can’t He give us His flesh for food? For if “by the Word of the Lord the heavens were established” (Ps. 32:6), then with that word of God He changes bread and wine into His Body and Blood. 2. If you wonder how Christ, who is in heaven, is at the same time present at the meal, then be surprised that the same sun, which illuminates and warms us, is at the same time in heaven and on earth, in the east and in the west, and in all countries of the world. In the same way, Christ in the Most Pure Mysteries does great and glorious things at the same time both in heaven and on earth, as one omnipotent and strong: in heaven - by natural truth, and on earth - by the power of the Divine, incomprehensible and ineffable, surpassing human understanding. 3. And then, if you are surprised that the one indivisible Christ is heard in many parts equally to all believers, in one no more and no less than in the other, then be surprised at how my one voice is at the same time both in my mouth and in your ears? 4. And if you doubt how the body is not divided when the Mysteries are fragmented, when the lamb is fragmented, or how the whole and perfect Christ is present in each part, then be amazed at this: when the mirror is fragmented into small parts, then the human image in it is not fragmented, but in each part is as whole as in the full mirror. 5. Perhaps you wonder how Christ, who is often consumed, is not diminished, but remains whole forever? Then be surprised at this: when many others are kindled from one candle, the first lamp is not diminished in its luminosity. 6. And if you ask how Christ, entering into the interior of our nature, is not defiled and is not imprisoned, then I will ask you: is the sun, passing over stinking places, defiled or not? I know that the wise and faithful do not dare to talk about this. Moreover, Christ, the Light of all purity, is not defiled and is not imprisoned: He who is, Whom hell and terrible seals could not hold, and the doors closed and tightly locked at the entrances to the disciples. 7. Also, about cases with the terrible Mysteries of Christ and about the consumed part, understand that they are not subject to decay, like common waste, but, as St. Chrysostom says, this sacred bread and wine is transformed into a certain subtle substance and disperses into all the compositions of our body. Likewise, if it happens that the Holy Mysteries, through negligence or accident, fall, burn, rot, freeze, become dirty, etc., then it is not the Body of Christ that is affected, but the appearance of the bread and wine. This impassive sacrifice is in no way involved in this. It won't be like that! For once only the flesh of Christ suffered for us, but after the Resurrection it is not subject to suffering. However, the priest does not remain without punishment for his negligence, for he sins gravely, and therefore is subject to punishment and penance according to the reasoning of his bishop. 8. And if you are surprised how the entire complete and whole Christ is contained in a small particle of the Mysteries, then be surprised at how such great cities are contained and embraced by such a small grain of your eye? But having learned this, do not experience the unsearchable mystery, but with unshakable faith and heartfelt love offer active and mental thanks to the terrible, strong and omnipotent King and God Almighty for His inscrutable gifts. 9 . But if someone asks: how should I prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Ask the Apostle Paul, and he will teach you two soul-helping virtues. Firstly: “Let a man tempt himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28). Secondly: let him judge that there is the Body and Blood of the Lord, who and what are you and with whom do you want to unite? How do you begin, and Whom do you commune with? 10. Try how you should know yourself, and do you contemplate in your heart with a pure mind? Do you have peace with God, like-mindedness with His Church and love for your neighbors? For while you lie in sins, you do not have peace with God, because our sins separate us from God, according to the words: “Do not your sins separate you from Me?” (Isa. 59:2). They make us enemies of our God, vile and hateful, but they bring joy and gladness to the devil about us. 11. In the same way, if you stubbornly remain in any heresy, do not correct yourself, do not believe as the Church of God teaches us, its sons, through the Holy Spirit and the word of God, then you do not have peace with it and are its enemy. Think also about the fact that if you have anger and hatred towards your neighbor, then you have no peace with him, and you unworthily partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, which are our union and reconciliation with God. 12. Finally, “the reasoning of the Body of the Lord” [1 Cor. 11, 29] – do you think about the terrible Mysteries in agreement with the Church? Although you see bread and wine with your bodily eyes, believe firmly and without doubt that their essence, by the influx of the Holy Spirit and His action and the power of the almighty word of God, is changed into the Body and Blood of Christ so much so that nothing else remains in them except the very true Body and Blood of the Lord, under the external appearance of the substance of wheat, leavened, newly baked, soft bread and wine, from bunches of grapes or cooked berries. Oh man! Trust in the Word of God And be strengthened in your faith by these likenesses. Seek higher for yourself, I pray you stop, And what is right in the church is holy goodness. The Word of God endures forever And he does everything according to His will. Believe that His bread is the Holy Body And wine is Blood, and as a Divine work.