[Mad Dawg]

For kicks, and to introduce a question, I thought I'd quote part of the Didache here:

Didache 9:1
But as touching the Eucharistic thanksgiving give ye thanks thus.

Didache 9:2
First, as regards the cup:
We give Thee thanks, O our Father,
for the holy vine of Thy son David,
which Thou madest known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.

Didache 9:3
Then as regarding the broken bread:
We give Thee thanks, O our Father,
for the life and knowledge
which Thou didst make known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.

Didache 9:4
As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains
and being gathered together became one,
so may Thy Church be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;
for Thine is the glory and the power
through Jesus Christ for ever and ever.

Didache 9:5
But let no one eat or drink of this Eucharistic thanksgiving, but they that have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord hath said: Give not that which is holy to the dogs.

Didache 10:1
And after ye are satisfied thus give ye thanks:

Didache 10:2
We give Thee thanks, Holy Father,
for Thy holy name,
which Thou hast made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality,
which Thou hast made known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.

Didache 10:3
Thou, Almighty Master,
didst create all things for Thy name's sake,
and didst give food and drink unto men for enjoyment, that they might render thanks to Thee;
but didst bestow upon us spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Thy Son.

Didache 10:4
Before all things we give Thee thanks
that Thou art powerful;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.

Didache 10:5
Remember, Lord, Thy Church
to deliver it from all evil
and to perfect it in Thy love;
and gather it together from the four winds - even the Church which has been sanctified -
into Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever and ever.

Didache 10:6
May grace come and may this world pass away.
Hosanna to the God of David.
If any man is holy, let him come;
if any man is not, let him repent.
Maran Atha. Amen.

So here's the question: I would say that while the Eucharist symbolizes koinonia, we also pray that it will increase or even perfect it. This is just an extremely minor quibble, but a point I thought worth noting.

[Kolokotronis]

"I would say that while the Eucharist symbolizes koinonia, we also pray that it will increase or even perfect it."

I agree but I suppose the quibble lies in where we start. For Orthodoxy, koinonia must exist before it can be perfected. The Eucharist cannot represent a unity which does not exist nor create koinonia where none exists for that matter. But once that kononia does exist, it can and hopefully does strengthen it.

You know, in the early Church, there was not even the slightest tendency to intercommune with those who did not hold the same beliefs as those in The Church, even with those whom the canons allowed us to receive merely by a profession of faith.