In the Roman empire of the first century lived several million Jews but only a couple of thousands Christians.
Today, Christianity is the most wide spread religion in the world.

For the first time archeological evidence mentions a table and not an Altar to be used for the communion rite.
A communally meal, in which bread and wine were served to the members sitting around the table,
is considered the origin of the Mass ceremony.
Later the table became the altar.

Many researchers of Christanity think that the early Christians did not perform the Mass ceremony as it is preformed today.
It is thought that they ate a communally meal.