Course aims:

to develop an aptitude for careful theological reflection about worship;
to identify the common roots of liturgical traditions in different Christian confessions;
to appreciate more and understand more deeply their own liturgical tradition and worship;
to develop basic skills in worship and conducting liturgical services;
to articulate key biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship.

Course Entry Requirements:

n/a

Course contents:

1. Christian initiation [1], 2. Christian initiation [2], 3. Sacraments: Confession and Penance, 4. The relation between Confession and Communion. A today matter, 5. Sacraments: Ordinations, 6. Sacraments: Matrimony, 7. Sacraments: Unction, 8. Confessional differences in the understanding sacraments, 9. Special rites, 10. Funeral rites, 11. Blessings and occasionally public prayers, 12. Contemporary Challenges.

Teaching methods:

Lecture, conversation, exemplification, PowerPoint presentation, video-projections etc.

Learning outcomes:

• To give knowledge, understanding and a correct using of liturgical basic concepts specific to the Orthodox Christian liturgy; • To provide the necessary methodological and research skills for further study and research in liturgical topics;

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

Colloquium (heuristic dialogue) – 50%; written paper (interpretative essay) – 30%; continuous assessment – 20%.

Recommended reading:

Petru Pruteanu, Liturghia Ortodoxă: istorie și actualitate, Edit. Sophia, București, 2008, x.
Sfântul Nicolae Cabasila, Tâlcuirea dumnezeieștii Liturghii, Edit. IBMBOR, București, 1997, x.
Dumitru Stăniloae, Spiritualitate și comuniune în Liturghia Ortodoxă, Edit. Mitropoliei Olteniei, Craiova, 1986, x.
Alexander Schmemann, Postul cel Mare, Edit. Doris, București, 1998, x.
Petre Vintilescu, Istoria Liturghiei în primele trei veacuri, Edit. Nemira, București, 2001, x.