As I shared in the article, originally the Church remembered what Jesus did at the Last Supper in the practice of Christian Suppers. He established a way to fulfill His promise to be with His friends unto the end of time. Abuses, however, soon crept in, especially among gentile converts, whose previous background included only religion-sponsored meals that were a pretext for merry-making and, of course, drunkenness. This happened at Corinth. Paul’s words of reproof thunder down through the centuries. He truly condemns, not the meal itself, but the shocking selfishness of the participants who ate their own provisions, leaving nothing for the poor and even at times ending in real and true drunkenness.

Later, the meal was separated from the Eucharistic celebration, perhaps because of abuses or on account of the increased number of participants. With the tables removed, a room could accommodate many more people. Only one table remained, at which the bishop or presbyter presided. This now became the focal point known as the Lord’s table,” – the altar or, in our Church, known as the throne of God. Instead of reclining or sitting at supper, the worshippers stood for the whole service, “gathered together for the one common Eucharist”. Therefore, deprived of most characteristics of a meal, the independent Eucharist service lost its original designation as “the Lord’s Supper,” or “the Breaking of Bread,” and became known as Eucharistia (The prayer of thanksgiving to the Father. The words of Jesus were then inserted together into this with an invocation to the Spirit). It could now be held at any time of day. Mornings began to be favored, probably for symbolic reasons, in order to have Christ the Sun of Justice and Truth come upon the altar as the natural sun arose in the East.
Since the service was now brief, it usually was held immediately after the catechetical assembly, an instruction and prayer service modeled on the Morning Service (Matins) of the Jewish synagogue (and, on occasion, after baptisms, consecration of bishops and other events). Eventually, the special catechetical service was molded into one liturgical Eucharistia service. For years they were two services, the one open to all, including potential converts and penitents, the other, only for the faithful. (Remember, only converts could say the Creed and attend the Eucharistic Service).