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Passover was the event where the Israelite people were passed into freedom from slavery. It is considered the origin of Eucharist
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From the origin of the Eucharist to a modern day context
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During the Last Supper Jesus shared the bread and wine around the table. Symbolizing his sacrifice in the form of his blood and body.
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The bread, or communion, symbolized Jesus' body while the wine symbolized his blood. Both represented both life and sacrifice
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When Jesus handed over the bread and wine to his disciples it was considered the New Passover. Many of the actions he did were likened to the actions of the First Passover.
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The first recorded use of communion in a church was found in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He states that phrases such as 'do this as a memorial of me' and 'this cup is the new covenant in my blood' which are very similar to the words spoken today during Eucharist
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Christians would gather on the first day of the week, Sunday, to celebrate together. They would break the bread, quoting 'do this in memory of me' and believed that they were eating and drinking the body and blood of the Lord. It was also believed that Jesus was kept alive through reading and telling stories.
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Eucharist became more of a revered practice throughout the Middle Ages. It became a custom that children would not receive the communion until 12 or 14 years old - something that still occurs today. Adults would also not take the communion frequently, only at important times.
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During the 16th century Pope Pius V allowed a reform to occur within the Roman Catholic Church. This created a unified practice of the Eucharist and allowed all teachings of it to be synthesized.
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To many the bread and wine may appear as just that. Christians believe that once a priest consecrates the bread and wine its inner nature does change and it becomes the body and blood of Christ - despite its outwards appearance not changing.
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Today Passover is celebrated by the Jewish people at approximately the same time as Easter
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Today the reception of Eucharist is broken into four different parts: The Introductory Rites, The Liturgy of the Word, The Liturgy of the Eucharist and The Concluding Rites. Together these four parts make up a Mass, taking around about an hour or so to conclude.
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When receiving the Eucharist people are encouraged to place their right hand below their left, have the communion placed into their left palm, say 'Amen', take it into their right hand and eat it and then make the sign of the cross.
