Classical Texts in Eastern Christian Liturgical and Sacramental Theology

This course explores key Eastern Christian texts in the area of liturgical and sacramental theology - from the fourth to twentieth century. We begin with the Eastern mystagogical catecheses (Cyril of Jerusalem, Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia) proceed through Byzantine patristic texts (Ps.-Dionysius, Maximus, Germanus, the Damascene, Symeon the New Theologican and Nicholas Cabasilas), then review Ukrainian scholastic texts (Mohyla and Dmitry Tuptalo) and conclude with a sampling of modem Russian and Greek Orthodox writings, including Bulgakov and Zizioulas. Two contemporary "bookends" for these classical formulations will be the seminal works of David W. Fagerberg and Jean Corbon. The latter two authors will help in the evaluation of how these texts speak to the search for meaning- both personal and communal - among contemporary seekers and believers.