What is the spoon?

The answer

The spoon is Ⲡⲓⲙⲏⲥⲧⲏⲣ (pi-mēstēr) in Coptic and λαοις (laois) in Greek. It is used in administering the Blood. In the early centuries, the priest used to place the Body in the hands of those who are taking communion or directly in their mouths. The use of the spoon started only in the sixth century.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volume 1, Books 1–3. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.