New Books Network Cosima Clara Gillhammer, "Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
Oct 30, 2025
Cosima Clara Gillhammer, a scholar of medieval literature and liturgy, sheds light on her new book, revealing the profound impact of Christian liturgy on Western culture. She discusses how liturgy influences art, music, and architecture, challenging the perception of it being stuffy. Cosima explores immersive rituals that engage all senses and the emotional depth found in texts like the Song of Songs and Stabat Mater. She also highlights modern artists incorporating liturgical themes, ensuring the ongoing relevance of these ancient practices.
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Book Born From Teaching
- Cosima Gillhammer wrote the book as a teaching aid for Oxford undergraduates unfamiliar with liturgy.
- The project expanded into a general guide to show liturgy's cultural relevance.
Liturgy As Cultural Root
- Liturgy underpins Western art, literature, music, and architecture across centuries.
- Cosima Gillhammer argues many masterpieces arise from liturgical forms and themes.
Prayer Shapes Belief
- "Lex orandi, lex credendi" means worship shapes belief as much as belief shapes worship.
- Ritual practice internalizes beliefs by making participants act the faith they live.
