Introduction to Liturgical Theology

by Alexander Schmemann

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. He 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.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Church, Faith

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann was a prominent Eastern Orthodox theologian and priest of the Orthodox Church in America.

Reviews

[Abram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the book went over my head because I wasn't familiar with the context for a lot of what Schmemann was talking about, but there were some ideas well worth wrestling with when it comes to liturgy, the Eucharist, worship, and time.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fr. Alexander's introduction to Liturgical Theology reads like as much like a textbook as the title makes it sounds. Regardless of the essay's form, however, Fr. Alexander's writing remains true to the title and provides a very comprehensive and thorough introduction of the Church's Ordo and it's development from Apostolic times up until the "Byzantine Synthesis."

Of particular importance is his definition of Liturgical Theology as it relates to the ontology and actualization of the Church, the "what" of the Liturgy as contrasted with the "how" of liturgics. This living connection between the Ordo of the Church with the Body of Christ itself (both the Eucharist and the Church) also displays a greater sense of contemplation and devotion to liturgics from Fr. Alexander than has come out of the recent "liturgical crisis" in the West (and East, to a lesser extent), with a focus on the rubrics of the order taking greater precedence.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in tracing the history and development not of a particular liturgy but of the Church's Ordo as a whole and the place of both the Eucharist and Time in the life of the Church.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misleading title. It is not an introduction to what liturgical *is,* but rather a variation on the theme of "different aspects of the early church sometimes doing "liturgy" and with a few slams against the neo-Patristic movement and all things perceived to be western in the church."

Still, some interesting quotes by Maximus and Dionysius.

[Jason Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful eastern Orthodox historical survey of early church liturgical development.

[DúviAurvandil Ericsson e Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and powerful book, though it must be strongly emphasized that it is only an introduction, and thus does not answer the most pertinent questions that arise from a deep interest in Liturgical Theology. This is more a study of the _development_ of the Orthodox liturgical tradition than an elucidation of the theology that is to be found presently with in it. Yet, in that, it does present theological arguments for proper anthropology, soteriology, and eschatology within the Orthodox Tradition. Not just the content of the services of the Church inform us theologically, but _their very structure_ are shaped by these theological subjects and have the power to shape the one who prays them. While at times, it seems as if Schmemann is criticizing the historical development (and thus the question is raised Is he criticizing Orthodoxy itself?), he does clarify and emphasize in the end that this work is intended as a beginning to understanding it, living it, and worshiping within it, not as a call to revision. Thus, this work is only a starting point to a deeper and more broad and more wholistic appreciation of the services of the Church. Much more work is needed and this work should proceed with Shmemann's exemplary insistence of personal subjection to the Ordo so that it can change you, the parish, and thereby all the world.

[Joseph Bouchoc · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the classics of liturgical theology, but I struggled to get through this one.

[Christian Proano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is true to its title, the reading is fairly fast, and not as technical, of course the reader will still need to go over some parts a couple of times.

He stresses a lot, the awareness/consciousness regarding the early theology of time, the sacrament of the gathering, and the Eucharistic worship as the actualization of the Church's true being and nature. Then follows ups its developments up until the late Byzantine period when the liturgy (Typikon to be more precise) was consolidated with its minor variations, the author touches on the forces that influenced its development and how much or little in each force the original 3 (mentioned above) were preserved. The author also briefly touches on the state of affair regarding liturgical worship in the time he was writing this book.

Whether you are a non-orthodox, and convert into orthodoxy, or a cradle orthodox this book is going to tackle down some presuppositions.

[Jay D]

A great introduction to liturgy, though somewhat caught in the controversies of his time. However, Schmemann makes a good case that the early Christian liturgies derive essentially from Judaism, the Temple and in particular the synagogue; not from the pagan mysteries. A good read for someone new to liturgy.

[Matthew Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fr Alexander had some very salient things to say in many of his books, especially considering when they were written and the state (spiritually, and of the Church in America in general) of those to whom he wrote. This is not one of those books.

[Timothy Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been roundly criticized for portraying the Eastern liturgy as subject to a process of historical development, rather than simply presenting it as a divinely inspired whole. Funny...that's why I liked it.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful on early Christian liturgy accompanied by Eastern Orthodox oddities and confusion.

[Lainie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant writer and thinker. Helps his readers connect deeply to litrugy.

[Thomas]

I want more the information about liturgical theology...

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic work on the subject by the classic author on the subject, delightfully fun.