Oblation

Oblation (from the Latin oblatio, offering; Greek prosphora) is the act of bringing and presenting the eucharistic gifts — the prosphora loaves — for use in the Divine Liturgy. In the early Church, each family brought their own bread and wine to the Liturgy; the deacons selected the best for the Eucharist and returned the rest as eulogia. The act of bringing the prosphora is itself a participation in the Liturgy — the faithful bring their offering, the priest transforms it into Christ's offering.