The Eucharist in the early Church had its roots in Jesus' Last Supper and was celebrated as a meal of love that united believers in remembrance of Christ's death and resurrection. This practice was central to the life of the early Christian community and had a profound meaning of communion. Over time, especially after the apostolic community ceased to exist, the liturgy began to undergo standardization. Prayers and celebration procedures, which previously had considerable freedom, began to adopt a more fixed structure from various communities and early church leaders, forming the basis of the Mass as it is known today.