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1440 BCE
The Passover
The Passover began around 1440 BC, this was the start of the Eucharist and was first written by Exodus in the bible. This included a sacrifice of a lamb. -
Period: 1440 BCE to 1440 BCE
The Passover
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55 BCE
Last Supper
Church tradition teaches how the Eucharist began at the Last Supper and how the early community obeyed Jesus' command to "break bread" in his name (Acts 2:42) -
Period: 55 BCE to
Eucharist
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33
Key symbols
The bread, or communion, symbolized Jesus' body while the wine symbolized his blood. Both represented both life and sacrifice -
100
Early Eucharist
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. -
1200
Eucharist in the Middle ages
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. -
1500
Eucharist Change
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. -
Inner Nature of Communion
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. -
Pass over today
Today Passover is celebrated by the Jewish people at approximately the same time as Easter -
Eucharist today
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.