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Throughout the long history of Christianity, Christians have celebrated their faith in a myriad of ways. This Companion offers new insights into the theological depths of the liturgical mysteries that are the essence of Christian worship services, rituals, and sacraments. It investigates how these mysteries order time and space, and how they permeate the life of the Churches. The volume explores how Christian liturgy, as a corporeal and communal set of activities, has had a profound impact on spiritualities, preaching, pastoral engagement, and ecumenical relations, as well as encounters with religious others. Written by an international team of scholars, it also explores the intrinsic connections between liturgy and the arts, and why liturgy matters theologically. Ultimately, The Cambridge Companion to Christian Liturgy demonstrates the inextricable link between theology and liturgy and provides incentives for critical and constructive reflections about the relevance of liturgy in today's world.
List of contents
Introduction Joris Geldhof; Part I. Liturgy Throughout the Ages: 1. Liturgy in early Christianity Harald Buchinger; 2. Liturgy in the Middle Ages Joris Geldhof; 3. Liturgies and the Reformation Jan Schnell; 4. Liturgies beyond the Reformation Melanie Ross; 5. Liturgy in Eastern Christianity Stefanos Alexopoulos; 6. The Liturgical Movement Katharine E. Harmon; Part II. The Celebration of the Liturgy: 7. The Eucharist Patrick Prétot; 8. Liturgy and the sacraments Clare Johnson; 9. Liturgy of the hours Liborius Olaf Lumma; 10. The liturgical year Maryann Madhavathu; Part III. Liturgy and the Arts: 11. Liturgical music and singing Dorothea Haspelmath-Finatti; 12. Liturgy and architecture Gilles Drouin; 13. Liturgy, icons and images Natalie Carnes; Part IV. Liturgy and the Life of the Churches: 14. Liturgy, the body and the senses Bridget Nichols; 15. Liturgy, spirituality and piety Job Getcha; 16. Liturgy and pastoral ministry Samuel Goyvaerts; 17. Liturgy and the proclamation of the Word Cas Wepener; 18. Liturgy and ecumenism Thomas Pott; 19. Liturgy and the religions of the world Marianne Moyaert; Part V. The Study of Liturgy: 20. Liturgical texts Juliette Day; 21. Liturgy as ritual (and prayer) Kimberly H. Belcher; 22. Liturgical theology Nathan G. Jennings.
About the author
Joris Geldhof is Professor of Liturgy and Sacramental Theology in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. The past President of the international ecumenical Societas Liturgica, he is the author of Liturgy and Secularism: Beyond the Divide (2018), Liturgical Theology as a Research Program (2020) and Monotheism in Christian Liturgy (2023).
