New Books in Religion Cosima Clara Gillhammer, "Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
Oct 30, 2025
Cosima Clara Gillhammer, a Career Development Fellow in English at Oxford, delves into her new book, exploring the rich tapestry of Christian liturgy and its cultural impact. She reveals how ancient rituals shaped Western art and literature, highlighting the sensory experiences of worship. Gillhammer argues for the relevance of liturgy today, discussing its role in shaping belief and community. She also connects modern music to liturgical roots, showcasing how this ancient practice continues to influence contemporary culture.
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Liturgy As Cultural Root
- Liturgy shapes Western culture beyond religion, influencing art, music, literature, and architecture.
- Cosima Clara Gillhammer argues liturgy underlies works from Dante to Mozart and modern pop culture.
Worship Shapes Belief
- "Lex Arandi, Lex Credendi" means worship shapes belief as much as belief shapes worship.
- Ritual actions internalize community beliefs and reinforce individual faith.
Liturgy Structured Medieval Life
- In the Middle Ages liturgy structured daily life for laypeople and religious alike.
- Feast days organized economic and social rhythms, like rent payments tied to liturgical dates.
