On the Divine Liturgy

Popular Patristics Series #8

by Germanus of Constantinople, Paul Meyendorff (Translator)

For centuries the Historia Ecclesiastica of St Germanus (715-730) was the quasi-official explanation of the Divine Liturgy for the Byzantine Christian world. A detailed introduction includes an exposition of mystagogical catecheses and the development of an historicizing system of liturgical symbolism.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction

107 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Saint Katherine BookstoreVA]

"Underlying all these commentaries, therefore, [i.e. those of Maximus the Confessor, the Alexandrian and Antiochene schools of theology- Ed.] is a sense that the liturgy itself is a
source of theology. Just like Scripture, the liturgy is revelation, which implies a multiplicity of meanings, and indeed offers the possibility for participation in divine life. But the key to a proper understanding of the mystagogies is knowing their historical context. The commentators wrote in response to concrete social and theological issues, and only when the issues are known are the responses understandable." (41)

Germanus I (645-740 A.D) was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 715 to 730. Since modern man, even faithful Christians, has pushed so many elements of the Faith out of daily life, it’s hard for us to understand how central they were to the Byzantines. Disputes could cause rallies in the streets of Constantinople and theological stances were matters of position and influence or exile and
death. The Church was still discerning the fullness of the Faith; consensus was difficult from generation to generation. Among the first actions Germanus felt forced to take was convening a local synod that reaffirmed the doctrine of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon in 451
A.D. and anathemize two former patriarchs who had fallen into heresy. Germanus was then swept up into the imperial fights over iconoclasm. A staunch defender of the veneration of icons, Germanus was forced into exile by the iconoclast Emperor Leo III.

Germanus’ most widely-know work is his “Ecclesiastical History and Mystical Contemplation”, which forms the basis of On the Divine Liturgy. Reading Germanus’ work on its own, one is struck by how many elements and interpretations he describes remain familiar to us today. It is reassuring to see the continuity and the fidelity to the life and works and meaning of Christ’s life preserved in our liturgy over time.

However, the deeper story is revealed in Meyendorff’s introduction. Germanus presided during a time of strong competition between ideas. Alexandrian theologians often interpreted liturgy in a spiritual and individualistic way that it approached a Christian Gnosticism. The Antiochian
school was very much into the historicity of Christ’s life. Germanus, as the leader of the Great Church in Constantinople, was able to provide a synthesis of these ideas that showed their complementarity. Over time, his writings became foundational to liturgical theology across the
Christian East. This is the reason they are so familiar to us today. Placing Germanus in his historical context makes ne appreciate how God raises great men and women at times of need to preserve the fidelity and amplify the worship of the church.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meyendorff's introduction is very good. I much preferred Nicholas Cabasilas's commentary to this one which now seems largely of historical interest, but that doesn't detract from its merit. Cabasilas is of course standing on the shoulders of Germanus.

[Phillip Stoffregen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introductory text as to the symbolism that has often been seen in the Divine Liturgy. Meyendorff's introduction was helpful in highlighting the different schools (the Alexandrian and Antiochian, the former seeing more cosmic significance to the liturgy and the latter tying the liturgy with the earthly ministry of Christ). Germanus seeks to synthesize these two schools and has elements of both. Meyendorff argues that this is due in part to the iconoclastic controversy. Normally the cosmic elements were emphasized in interpreting the Divine Liturgy, but Germanus brings out more earthly aspects of Christ's ministry to emphasize the incarnation and thereby see how everything is an image of Christ, and thereby icons of Christ are justifiable. A very interesting argument on Meyendorff's part. All in all a good book. I probably profited more from the introduction, but it will be nice to have this as a resource to draw on in the future.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fascinating commentary on the divine liturgy by Germanus, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople in the 8th century AD. Paul Meyendorff provides helpful introduction which places this work in its literary and historical context. Notably, he argues that Germanus seeks to brink a less allegorizing, more Antiochene interpretation of the liturgy (pace, e.g., Maximus the Confessor) and that much of this is due to the iconoclasm that he and others faced. Worth reading for any serious student of this period of the church's history.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

6th-7th century theological work on the liturgy. Germanus walks through every part of the liturgy - the statements of the priest, the response of the people, the vestments, the architecture and various movements implements - in order to show how this ritual act of communal worship reflects the deeper reality of the Divine Work of Jesus in the life of the World and the Church.

[Yiyun Guan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is representative of the Studite synthesis. Germanus' iconophile concern with the interpretation of the liturgy with historical ministry is somewhat a degression from Maximus's eschatological approach to me.

[Karen Rezkalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Paul meyendorff’s concise yet sophisticated introduction and background to the text. Even though the Coptic liturgy has its variations from 8th century Byzantine liturgy I was still able to learn and appreciate a lot of this work! I did a bunch of studies on my copy with all my notes on it.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction is more than half of the book, I didn’t find the introduction very necessary or a great read. The remainder of the book was excellent with its explanations and connections in the Liturgy. I particularly enjoyed the explanations going line by line of the Lord’s Prayer which were helpful for understanding without being too long.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little volume in St. Vladimir Seminary Press' Popular Patristic Series presents an English translation by Paul Meyendorff of St. Germanus of Constantinople's explanation of the Divine Liturgy. Patriarch of Constantinople between 715-730, St. Germanus inherited a great tradition of allegorical explanation of Christian ritual from earlier figures such as Pseudo-Dionysus and Theodore of Mopsuestia, and in his ample introduction Meyendorff explains how Germanus' account both continues a tradition and shows its own peculiarities. Meyendorff also sketches the state of the liturgy in the time of St. Germanus.

St. Germanus' account of the liturgy was extremely popular for centuries, extant in many manuscripts and in translation into other languages, but I doubt it will interest most Orthodox Christian readers, even those with an academic bent (I'd count myself among such). The sheer amount of allegory ascribed to the Divine Liturgy and to the components of the church building proves more exhausting than inspirational. I'll just try to make my point by quoting from one page: "The apse corresponds to the cave in Bethlehem where Christ was born, as well as the cave in which he was buried ... The holy table corresponds to the spot in the tomb where Christ was placed ... The holy table is also the throne of God. ... The ciborium represents here the place where Christ was crucified ... It similarly corresponds to the ark of the covenant."

This kind of "everything symbolizes something and everything" approach may have been wildly popular in the first millennium, but it has limited appeal now, and even great Orthodox writers like Fr. Alexander Schmeemann have found it vexing. All that said, this is an inexpensive volume and even includes the Greek text, so for a certain demographic of readers this may prove a worthy purchase.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important part of church history. St. Germanus was important in the Iconoclastic controversy (he was an iconodule), and his commentary on the liturgy marks an important synthesis of both the Antiochian and Alexandrian approaches to the liturgy (as Paul Meyendorff argues in the introduction). The Greek text of Germanus is also given.

What I found most interesting is Germanus's emphasis on the heavenly nature of the liturgy. Since he was describing the liturgy at Hagia Sophia, the biggest and most splendid church of the time, it would be easy to envision the earthly liturgy mirroring the heavenly worship service. Though we moderns and post-moderns might not have such magnificent surroundings to worship in, we can still start to recover a theology of heavenly worship. Maybe someday we'll have buildings to match!

[Tommy O'Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful description/commentary on the Divine Liturgy (with a heavy focus on the actual aesthetics of it). It was a great reminder that for a good bit of church history the weekly gathering of the church was an event that really sought to create a space where heaven and earth met together. I love the deep symbolism and the way that all of the senses are engaged with the retell Ong of the gospel story.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

St. Germanus of Constantinople writes an overview of the Divine Liturgy in Constantinople. It is a good introduction to some of the theology and spirituality within the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

[Gabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, this book is a great introduction to not only Patristic hermeneutics, but also the history and method of liturgical commentary. Read my full review HERE.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An 8th century commentary on the Divine Liturgy, brief but very informative, learned a lot highly recommended.

[Shea Layton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really good stuff, but a lot I didn't grasp.