preface to volume iv: liturgy

Losten Professor of Ukrainian Studies and Former Dean

The Catholic University of America

Washington, DC 

This collection of liturgical theological reflections of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware will assist the reader in deepening their intellectual understanding while enriching their faith life. Metropolitan Kallistos’s numerous written works provided insight and a depth of theological reflection for generations of people. He began publishing early in his career and he continued that vocation throughout his lifetime. But it was also his innumerable talks and lessons in churches and conferences that helped to enrich so many.

I remember our many conversations throughout the years and especially during the Orientale Lumen Conferences. His affability and energy provided the impetus for people to engage and to deepen their understanding of Eastern Christianity, specifically the Byzantine tradition. His contagious spirit prompted people to take the next step and go a bit deeper. I fondly remember being with him at an Orientale Lumen conference in Constantinople/Istanbul. Bishop Kallistos readily guided us on our excursions and proved to be quite a stimulating conversation partner as we wandered about the streets. In particular, I remember our day trip to Nicaea. While we visited the ruins of the church where the Second Council of Nicaea was held, he proceeded to give an impromptu lecture that was more of an in-depth lecture on iconoclasm. His ability to speak extemporaneously about the historical background of the council and to convey it to those present in a way that also enabled them to glimpse the deeper theological and mystical levels was among his greatest gifts. These impromptu lectures and discussions brought out the true richness and dynamism of this holy man.

This volume on the Liturgy, part of a six volume series published by Eastern Christian Publications, provides a wonderful oversight into the Metropolitan’s understanding of the Liturgy and the mysteries (sacraments). The organization of this volume on the Liturgy is very inviting, as it arranges his various lectures in a thematic manner that leads the reader toward the unfolding of an ever deeper understating of the Liturgy. The first section deals with the Inner Meaning of the Eucharist, and then it moves to the particular feasts in the next two sections: section two: Our Lenten Journey and section three: Our Journey to Pascha – Zacchaeus to Pentecost. His penetrating insights help one to not only have a deeper theological understanding of each of the feasts and of the realities that we are celebrating, but also leads the reader to a much more profound spiritual engagement with the feasts. Finally, the volume moves to the Holy Mysteries or, as it is entitled here, Sacraments, where he treats the fullness of our expression of worship. He helps the reader to understand the richness of the life of Christ active in His Church today through the mysteries. In each article, he helps the reader to have a more complete understanding of God’s work in our day and age through the work of the Holy Spirit.

These transcribed talks and reflections that Metropolitan Kallistos delivered orally represent a theological depth and richness that assists us in the developing of a real lived encounter with God in the midst of the liturgical life. I encourage you to spend time not just reading this book for its intellectual value, but to engage it as if the Metropolitan were presenting the lectures in person in order to lead us to a deeper spiritual level.