Can the Eucharist be offered in an ordinary house?

The answer

St. Basil answers, “Scripture does not allow common vessels to be used in the sacred places. For this reason, the Holies are not permitted to be prepared in an ordinary house, as per God’s command in the holy covenant (Lev. 10:9–10). But the Lord says, ‘In this place is One greater than the temple!’ (Matt. 12:6). The Apostle says, ‘Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? … What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you’ (1 Cor. 11:22–23). Thus, we learn not to eat and drink regular food in the church, and not to bring any defilement upon the Lord’s table in a private house, except when necessary, in which case one must choose a pure place or house.”¹⁵⁴²

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty