The word “Qurbana” has different meanings like offering, gift, oblation, sacrifice, presents etc. The word took its origin from the syriac word ‘Kurbono’. As there is no apt word to translate into different languages with the full connotation, the same word is accepted in different languages with a slight change. In the Old Testament wherever the word ‘sacrifice’ or ‘offering’ is intended the word ‘Kurbono’ is used in the Syriac Bible.

Queen of Sacraments

 Holy Qurbano is called  as the “Queen of Sacraments” and the completion of all the Prophecies. Above all it is the perfector of sacraments. Holy Qurbana   signifies the presence of God and our hope in the eternal kingdom  of God.  It was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ himself and  entrusted to his disciples. John 6:53-54 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is food and salvation for our souls. We are connected to Jesus by His body and blood through this sacrament. 1 Corinthians 11: 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup ,you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Melchizedek, the chief priest of God (who lived at the time of Abraham) made offering in bread and wine as a  foreshadowing of  this sacrament. Gen:14:18 “Then Melchizedek King of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High”.  There are many Old Testament images of Holy Qurbana. The unblemished pass over lamb is one of them . This is fulfilled in the New Testament as Jesus himself being the pass over lamb who sacrificed his life for our salvation. It is commemorated by the Church through this sacrament till the end of the world.  

One Sacrifice

Our Lord once for all died on the cross for us. It will not be repeated. We partake in the Holy Qurbana and this kindles our faith, leading us to new spiritual experience. The Holy Qubana combines  past, present and the future.Even though our Lord is invisible now he is sitting on the right hand of the Father in heaven and offers the living sacrifice to God,. The Lord himself as the chief celebrant is celebrating this sacred act which is mercy, peace, sacrifice and thanks giving. In the Holy Qurbana the celebrant is the priest but he really represent the Lord Jesus . Now we can understand that the Holy Qurbana is the union of the visible and the invisible, wonderfully and excellently made united.

Offering ourselves

The Holy Qurbana is the remembrance of the Holy Sacrifice done on Calvery once for all. Rom:12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship”. The Holy Qurbana is actually a spiritual sacrifice. Like Abraham who prepared to offer his son Issac as sacrifice we also should offer ourselves as sacrifice for the remission of our sins. We are encouraged to receive Holy Eucharist  devoutly and frequently. For this we have to bring ourselves worthy to receive the body and blood of Christ This calls for the preparatory acts and prayers to cleanse our body and mind  prior to partaking in Holy Qurbana. 1 Corinthians 11: 27-28 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup

Thanks Giving

The Holy Qurbana is a sacrament through which we express our gratitude and thanks to God who protect us in wondrous ways. When we pray like the priest ” Oh God make us worthy to offer you this service of Thanks giving as sweet fragrance of incense” then we understand the remarkable magnitude of this service.

Parake with all five senses

There is great meaning in all things done in Holy Qurbana. It enables to touch the heart of man. The heard melodies in Holy Qurbana are sweet and make us happy. The thoughtful prayers reveal the eternal truths. Every act done has deep meaning. There is intention for all the colours seen, there is aim for every step made. There is significance for every clothes worn. Every word uttered depicts mysterious action the heart and reminds us of the experiences of heaven. All the articles and materials used in Qurbana symbolises deeper meaning ,whereby  our five senses are  active . Sight gives the eyes delight, songs give ears pleasantness. The incense of fragrance give the nose sweetness. The bread and wine give the tongue tastiness and occasions  to touch. In short, the Holy Qurbana is an act full of meaning. We are made to see the Holy Sacrifice of our Lord with body, mind and soul enabling us to submit ourselves as the Passover Lamb of the New Testament, by eating the manna of the New Testament, renew the covenant of the New Testament with the blood of him.