Passover vs. Eucharist — What's the Difference?

A time for the Jewish community to reflect on the concept of freedom and justice.

A Christian sacrament commemorating Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples.

A Jewish festival celebrating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

Central to Christian worship, signifying unity with Christ and the church.

An observance filled with rituals and prayers to remember past sufferings and divine salvation.

Encourages personal examination, repentance, and readiness to receive grace.

Involves eating unleavened bread (matzah) to commemorate the haste in which the Israelites fled Egypt.

Reflects themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the hope of eternal life.

Includes reading the Haggadah, telling the story of the exodus, and explaining the holiday's symbols.

Practiced across various Christian denominations with differing theological interpretations.

Passover, also called Pesach (; Hebrew: פֶּסַח‎ Pesaḥ), is a major Jewish holiday that occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, the first month of Aviv, or spring. The word Pesach or Passover can also refer to the Korban Pesach, the paschal lamb that was offered when the Temple in Jerusalem stood, to the Passover Seder, the ritual meal on Passover night, or to the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The Eucharist (; also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper among other names) is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper; giving his disciples bread and wine during a Passover meal, he commanded them to "do this in memory of me" while referring to the bread as "my body" and the cup of wine as "the new covenant in my blood".

A holiday beginning on the 14th of Nisan and traditionally continuing for eight days, commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. Also called Pesach.

A sacrament and the central act of worship in many Christian churches, which was instituted at the Last Supper and in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of Jesus's death; Communion.

Alternative case form of Passover

The consecrated elements of this rite; Communion.

A feast of the Jews, instituted to commemorate the sparing of the Hebrews in Egypt, when God, smiting the firstborn of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the Israelites which were marked with the blood of a lamb.

The act of giving thanks; thanksgiving.

(Judaism) a Jewish festival (traditionally 8 days) celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper; the solemn act of ceremony of commemorating the death of Christ, in the use of bread and wine, as the appointed emblems; the communion.

A Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper by consecrating bread and wine

The Eucharist is a Christian sacrament commemorating Jesus' Last Supper, focusing on themes of sacrifice and redemption through bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus' body and blood, whereas Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from Egypt.

In the Eucharist, bread and wine symbolize Jesus' body and blood, offered for the forgiveness of sins and spiritual union with Christ and the Christian community.

Christians practice the Eucharist as a sacrament of faith, commemorating Jesus' sacrifice, to nurture spiritual unity with Christ and the church, and to receive grace.

While traditionally a Jewish observance, some non-Jews are welcomed to participate in Passover Seder meals, especially in interfaith contexts, to learn and show solidarity.

Matzah, or unleavened bread, is eaten during Passover to commemorate the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, symbolizing simplicity and humility.

While Passover is rooted in historical remembrance, it also emphasizes themes of freedom, justice, and divine intervention in human affairs.

The Eucharist symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, his resurrection, and the believer's reception of grace and commitment to Christian unity and faith.

The story of the exodus is retold through the Haggadah during the Passover Seder, using symbolic foods, prayers, and rituals to convey the narrative of liberation and divine salvation.

Passover is a Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, celebrated with the Seder meal to remember the exodus and divine deliverance.

The key components include matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), wine, and the Haggadah, which narrates the exodus story.

The frequency of the Eucharist celebration varies among Christian denominations, ranging from daily to weekly services.

Passover preparation involves physical cleaning and removal of leaven from homes, symbolizing spiritual purity, whereas Eucharist preparation focuses on personal reflection and repentance.