EUCHARIST (Gr. εὐχαριστέω, G2373, to be grateful, to give thanks). This verb and its cognates occur frequently in the NT denoting grateful acknowledgment of benefits received esp. through the bounty and goodness of the Lord. For this reason, the term “eucharist” in ancient times came to be applied to the Lord’s Supper, prob. because of the giving of thanks (εὐχαριστέω, G2373) by the Lord at the time of institution, as He gave His disciples the bread and the cup (cf. Mark 14:22; 1 Cor 11:23, 24). It first appeared as a designation of the communion meal in the letters of Ignatius (a.d. 107) to Philadelphia (c. iv) and Smyrna (c. vi). Irenaeus wrote that after the consecration “it is no longer common bread but eucharist” (Against Heresies, iv. ch. 18, 5). Because of this usage, early liturgies made the thanksgiving, next to the reception, the most significant part of the celebration, and this no doubt promoted the general adoption of the name. Gratitude for salvation was reflected generally in the prayers and hymns associated with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.