The Eucharist (alternatively called Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper) is the primary act of Christian worship and has historically formed the most important and visible sign of belonging and/or participation in a Christian community. Thus it is not unsurprising that in an era of increasing polarization and alienation, particularly along political lines, the Eucharist has progressively become a more visible and frequently deployed weapon in these conflicts. From the denial of the Eucharist to a number of high profile Catholic politicians in the United States over their stance on abortion to Anglican bishops who refused to commune at the most recent Lambeth Conference, because of the presence of fellow bishops in same-sex relationships to the increasingly confusing question of shared communion between Orthodox churches under the auspices of the Patriarchate of Moscow and those under the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the central act of Christian worship has often found itself at the center of the Global Culture Wars and geopolitics.This panel invites papers that explore the role of communion in social and political debates, both contemporary and historical. Papers that offer a comparative perspective across historical and/or denominational lines are particularly welcome.Chair: Katherine Kelaidis (National Hellenic Museum)Speakers:Inga Leonova (The Wheel Journal) Michael Clark (The Wheel Journal)