We cannot deny the fact that our Divine Liturgy is symbolic in nature. It is important, however, that we truly understand the idea of symbolism as it pertains to the Liturgy. The most prevalent, “current” answer to this question of … Continue reading
Category Archives: Learning About the Practices of Our Religion
It is my experience that, influenced by the sacramental theology of the Western Church, the true nature of the Divine Liturgy for many, even priests, is solely focused on the “consecration” of the gifts. Too soon do people seem to … Continue reading
When we start the Divine Liturgy we declare the beginning and the end of what we do together, namely make the Kingdom of Heaven present. In the Divine Liturgy the Church makes an ascent to the Table of the Lord … Continue reading
In the last issue of this article, I began to share thoughts on how the very vestments of the priest links him to the assembly. I shared the meaning of the stikharion and the epitrakhilion. Such is also the case … Continue reading
Over the past several weeks I have been sharing ideas about anamnesis. Closely connected with this idea is the idea of the assembly of the Church as the image of the body of Christ. If this is true, then the … Continue reading
In the last issue of this article, I shared the fact that the Church is a community that gathers for anamnesis, and is in a profound sense formed and shaped by it. This is perhaps most evident in the Eucharist, … Continue reading
I suspect that many of my readers are wondering when I will ever finish with the topic of Anamnesis. It seems that I have been writing about this for weeks. I have purposely spent a lot of time on this … Continue reading
Anamnesis is not necessarily restricted to a particular part of the Eucharistic celebration. It should be remembered that while the succinct summary of the paschal mystery and statement of eschatological hope that bears the technical name of anamnesis (i.e. the … Continue reading
I have been asked how the anamnetic character of our Liturgy developed. Originally early Christians remembered what Jesus did on the night before He died as a way of having Him with them. They felt His presence. The actions brought … Continue reading
In the two Byzantine anaphora texts the object of remembrance becomes: the passion, cross, burial, resurrection after three days, ascent into heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and the second coming in glory. Even more enlightening than … Continue reading