On the Divine Liturgy

Originally titled Ecclesiastical History and Mystical Contemplation, this commentary by St. Germanus of Constantinople (+733) exercised tremendous influence on the Byzantine Christian world, serving from the eighth to the fourteenth century as the quasi-official explanation of the DIvine Liturgy. In accordance with his experience of the rite liturgy at Hagia Sophia, St. Germanus uses strong visual images and applies spiritual and historical meaning to the literal texts: "The church is an earthly heaven in which the super-celestial God dwells and walks about. It represents the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ." Appearing at a time of tremendous flux in the life of the Byzantine Church and replete with allegory, the document holds both historical and theological value and displays remarkable balance at a pivotal point in church history.

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