Eastern Christian Liturgies

Eastern Christianity comprises a variety of liturgical traditions, sometimes vastly different. The course takes a closer look on common traits from the Early Church and compares the different historical developments of the liturgies. Particular attention is given to the relationship between time and eternity as well as matter and spirit. The students will specialize on one of four liturgical traditions: Coptic Orthodox, Tewahedo Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, or Byzantine Orthodox, and choose one of the alternatives in addition to the shared literature.At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to: - demonstrate knowledge of how the liturgy has developed historically in East with a particular emphasis on one of the liturgical traditions - show an understanding of the general themes of spirituality and sacramental theology in one of the traditions - be able to compare various liturgical traditions in Eastern Christianity - be able to make use of hermeneutical methods in connection to liturgical studies