The word "Utraquist" is a term used in the history of Bohemia, referring to a follower of the Utraquist Church. Its spelling can be confusing, given the unusual combination of letters. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /juːtrəkwɪst/. The /j/ stands for a consonant-y sound, while the /uː/ represents the long "oo" sound. The /r/ and /k/ sounds are pronounced separately, followed by a short "i" vowel sound /ɪ/ and ending with the consonant /st/.
Utraquist, as a noun, refers to a follower or adherent of Utraquism, a Christian religious doctrine prevalent in the late medieval and early modern period in the Kingdom of Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic). Utraquists were primarily associated with the Hussite movement, which emerged as a result of the teachings of Jan Hus, a Czech reformer.
Derived from the Latin word "utraque" meaning "each of two," Utraquism emphasizes the administration of the Eucharist in both species, the bread and wine, to all believers, as opposed to the Catholic practice of withholding the wine from the laity. This theological stance became a crucial point of contention during the Hussite Wars, which were fought between the Roman Catholic Church and the Hussites.
Utraquists believed that the Eucharist was a sacrament that should be made available to all believers, considering it essential for salvation. They argued that both the bread and wine symbolized the body and blood of Christ and, therefore, should be shared during the sacrament. This belief formed a central tenet of Utraquism, along with other Hussite principles, such as equality among believers, vernacular preaching, and moral reforms within the church.
The term "Utraquist" can also be used as an adjective to describe anything relating to Utraquism or the Utraquists themselves. It signifies the doctrinal, liturgical, or cultural aspects associated with the Utraquist movement, which played a significant role in the religious and political history of Bohemia during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The word "Utraquist" comes from the Latin phrase "sub utraque specie", meaning "under both species". It refers to the practice of administering both the bread and wine during the Eucharist in the Christian liturgy. The term "Utraquist" arose during the Hussite movement in Bohemia in the 15th century when followers of Jan Hus advocated for receiving communion in both forms. The term became associated with this religious movement and its adherents.