Nshkhar ( ''nšxar'') is the

communion bread Sacramental bread, also called Communion bread, Communion wafer, Sacred host, Eucharistic bread, the Lamb or simply the host (), is the bread used in the Christian ritual of the Eucharist. Along with sacramental wine, it is one of two elements o ...

used during the liturgy (

Badarak Divine Liturgy () or Holy Liturgy is the usual name used in most Eastern Christian rites for the Eucharistic service. The Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Orthodox Church believe the Divine Liturgy transcend ...

) in the

Armenian Church Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

. A blessed but unconsecrated version may also be given out by a priest at special occasions, such as a house blessing. At the end of liturgy, deacons or other church officials will hand out portions of a blessed unleavened bread, known as ''mas'' ( ''mas''), to the congregation. In some

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

communities, this bread is baked especially for this purpose, but in others it may simply consist of

lavash Lavash (; ) is a thin flatbread usually leavened, traditionally baked in a tandoor (''tonir'' or ''tanoor'') or on a '' sajj'', and common to the cuisines of South Caucasus, West Asia, and the areas surrounding the Caspian Sea. Lavash is one ...

. It always has a religious (

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

) image printed on top of it.

References

External links

Culture of Armenia Armenian breads {{OrientalOrthodoxy-stub