This volume investigates the historical development and theological evolution of Eucharistic prayers from the early church through the Reformation period. The authors, G. J. Cuming and R. C. Jasper, utilize their extensive expertise in liturgical history to curate and translate a comprehensive collection of primary source texts. By presenting these documents side-by-side, the work provides a framework for understanding how the structure and intent of the Holy Communion service shifted across different ecclesiastical traditions.

Scholars and clergy frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for the study of comparative liturgy. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous resource for those researching the historical roots of modern communion services.