Athens and Jerusalem The Meaning of the Liturgy—with Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Sep 8, 2023
Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, an esteemed theologian in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, discusses the profound significance of liturgy as a collective act of faith. He highlights how the Eucharist fosters unity within the church community, drawing on historical and theological insights. Through a Dostoevsky parable, he illustrates the power of shared participation in faith, emphasizing that personhood is shaped by our relationships. Kallistos sheds light on the transformative impact of communal worship, which embodies love, forgiveness, and connection among believers.
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Church's Eucharistic Unity
- The Church's unique role is to celebrate the Eucharist, the breaking of bread, which creates and realizes the Church itself.
- Communion in the one Eucharistic loaf causes the unity of the Church as a Eucharistic community.
Liturgy as Corporate Action
- Liturgy means a corporately shared activity; it cannot be performed by an individual alone.
- The Eucharist is a communal action where the distinctive word is 'we,' emphasizing corporate worship.
It's Our Onion Anecdote
- An old woman in Dostoevsky’s story tried to be saved alone, but denied others and fell back into fire.
- Saying "it's our onion" symbolizes mutual participation, personhood, and liturgical community.
