Page "Great Lent" Paragraph 104

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the priest will bless wine and bread which are distributed to the faithful.

This is different from the Sacred Mysteries ( Holy Communion ) which were received earlier in the service.

This bread and wine are simply blessed, not consecrated.

They are a remnant of the ancient tradition of the church ( still observed in some places ) whereby the faithful did not leave the church after the service, but were each given a glass of wine, and some bread and dried fruit to give them strength for the vigil ahead.

They would listen to the reading of the Acts of the Apostles, read in full, and await the beginning of the Paschal Vigil.