Consideration of the mystery known as 'the Real Presence' lies at the very heart of Anglican worship and faith. It refers to the belief that Christ/God is truly present at the altar in some spiritual and mystical manner in His Body and Blood following the consecration of the bread and wine.
Within Protestantism largely, the Holy Communion is primarily a memorial of the events of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. It must be confessed that is true also for many Anglicans, probably through a lack of proper teaching. It should be made clear that for Lutherans too the Real Presence is a theme of importance in eucharistic theology. Anglicans, in common with Orthodox and Catholic Christians generally, should regard the Eucharist as a sacred or sacramental re-presentation of the sacrifice of Christ once offered on the cross of Calvary. Through our active participation, it also becomes the sacrificial offering of 'ourselves, our souls and bodies'. When the celebrating priest pronounces the words of institution, as used by Christ at the Last Supper, followed by the invocation to God to bless the elements, the bread and wine become in a mystical way, which Anglicans (and the Orthodox) have never attempted to define closely, the very Body and Blood of Christ. Physically of course these elements remain simply bread and wine. Christ is always present in spirit in the hearts and souls of believers. By virtue of his Resurrection and Ascension, He is present in our world and in our lives. But in the Blessed Sacrament this Presence is focused in a special way which Anglicans have always affirmed. To Queen Elizabeth I are attributed these words: