The Ritual Context of 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11:17-33: Using Catherine Bell’s

Ritual Theory to Understand the Lord’s Supper as a Greco-Roman Hero Ritual

In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11: 17-33, Paul describes the Lord’s Supper. I intend to
analyze the passages with a focus on Greco-Roman ritual practices using Catherine Bell’s
Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice. By comparing the rite with practices in 1st Century CE Corinth,
I will argue that the meal was a particular type of hero meal, theoxenia, with an emphasis on
chthonic aspects and mortuary practices focused around calling out to the dead hero, Christ,
and securing his presence at the ritual.

Mark S. Wheller
PhD Candidate
University of Alberta