Bread Of Life: The Nshkhar (Նշխար) In The Armenian Church

In the Gospel of St. John (6:35), Christ says: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” On this Thanksgiving Day, we are reminded that in as much as we need bread for physical sustenance, we need the “bread of life” for our spiritual well-being, without which our lives would be imbalanced, if not unhealthy for the soul.

A powerful symbol of the Bread of Life is the sacramental bread (նշխար/nshkhar)—and wine—used in the Divine Liturgy (Ս. Պատարակ/Badarak) of the Armenian Church every Sunday.  It is given to the faithful as the body of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

During the Last Supper, Jesus said to his disciples: "Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you" (Matthew 26:26). The bread symbolizes His sacrifice for the salvation of humanity. The nshkhar is shared with the faithful as the "Bread of Life" of Christ, which nourishes the soul.

The nshkhar, the breaking and sharing of the bread, is also an important symbol of unity—uniting the faithful with Christ and with one another. It reflects the communal nature of the Church, which is bound together by faith, love, righteousness, and service.

The nshkhar also serves as a constant reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, commemorated during every Divine Liturgy. It emphasizes the importance of His life given for humanity’s redemption.

In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the sacramental bread is prepared using unleavened bread to symbolize purity and incorruption. Receiving Communion, the Bread of Life, is a holy act that transforms the soul and unites us with God.