Introduction to Liturgical Theology

by Alexander Schmemann

Publisher:

St Vladimir’s Seminary Press

, 2003

Overview

Alexander Schmemann’s Introduction to Liturgical Theology is a masterful historical and critical introduction to the study of modern Orthodox liturgics and theology. There is scarcely a student of Christian worship who has not been stirred by the brilliant mind of the late Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann.

Alexander Schmemann was deeply stimulated by modern movements and figures in Western Christian thought. He brings into the Western discussion of Christian unity, the relation of the Church to the world in revolution, the question of papal supremacy, and the effort to commend the gospel to a post-Christian world, a worldview at once Orthodox, patristic, and realistic. His sacramental realism and wholeness is exciting and refreshing for those, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, who have been reared on scholastic categories.

The present work was basic to much of Schmemann’s academic research and creativity. In it, he defines liturgical theology, noting that the dynamic realism of the Eucharistic liturgy often has been obscured in popular liturgical piety. This theme is developed in reference to the shape of worship as it evolved in the Orthodox Church, from the earliest years to its crystallization in Byzantium from the ninth through the twelfth centuries.

Key Features

• Provides an historical and critical introduction to the study of modern Orthodox liturgics and theology
• Explores Christian unity, the relation of the Church to the world, and the effort to commend the gospel to a post-Christian world
• Examines related themes of piety and worship

Contents

Top Highlights

“liturgical theology is the elucidation of the meaning of worship.” (Page 16)

“In studying this question it should be remembered that the early pre-Constantine and pre-monastic tradition understood fasting primarily as a one-day fast involving the complete abstinence from food, and not as abstinence from certain foods, as it came to be understood later on. This complete abstinence continued to the ninth hour (3 p.m.).” (Page 157)

“the ‘natural’ order, and of forgetting that she belonged to the Aeon of the Kingdom of God.³⁸ Monasticism” (Page 132)

“the task of liturgical theology consists in giving a theological basis to the explanation of worship” (Page 17)

“our present Church Year has no real, organic wholeness” (Page 177)

Product Details

• Title: Introduction to Liturgical Theology
• Author: Alexander Schmemann
• Publisher: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press
• Publication Date: 1966
• Pages: 220
• Christian Group: Orthodox
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Liturgical Theology

About Alexander Schmemann

Alexander Schmemann (13 September 1921 – 13 December 1983) was a prominent 20th century Orthodox Christian priest, teacher, and writer. Schmemann was born in Tallinn (Reval) Estonia to Russian émigrés. His family moved to France, where he received his university education. He married Juliana Osorguine in 1943, before completing his theological studies at the Orthodox Theological Institute of St.