Christian Cyclopedia

Ceremony of elevating the consecrated elements in the celebration of Holy Communion; may occur several times in a service; the term usually refers to elevation after consecration of each element. The practice was inst. in the 13th–14th c. M. Luther* permitted the practice to continue for the sake of the weak (um der Schwachen willen). because it could have a good meaning (WA 54, 163). In 1542 he did not oppose abolishing elevation in Wittenberg (he did not want to oppose J. Bugenhagen*), though personally he would rather have had it retained (WA 54, 122). In 1544 he favored retention of it as witness against sectarians who denied the Real* Presence (WA 54, 162–167). Many 16th c. orders retained the practice. Today most Luth. chs. do not follow it. Luths. who retain it regard it as a visible witness to the church's faith that the consecrated bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ. EFP