Universität Wien

010031 VO Basic course in Orthodox liturgical theology (2025W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Register/Deregister for this course

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 01.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 08.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 22.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 29.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 05.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 12.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 19.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 26.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 03.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 10.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 17.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 07.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 14.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 21.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 28.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Liturgical theology covers liturgical practice, the theology of various liturgical acts, and the theological reflection on liturgical worship in general.

This course will focus on the history of the Byzantine rite with a special focus on the celebration of the Eucharist (the divine liturgy) in relation to contemporary Eastern Orthodox theological reflection on the meaning of worship and pastoral needs.

The students are expected to study the required literature on their own and voluntarily participate in lectures given by the teacher.

After finishing the course, the student will:

- be able to describe in general the historical development of the Byzantine rite;

- be able to describe and understand the traditional mystagogical (allegorical/typological) interpretations of the divine liturgy;

- be able to identify and reflect on pastoral problems in relation to Orthodox worship today;

- and be able to reflect theologically on the meaning of worship and sacraments in the Orthodox tradition.

Assessment and permitted materials

The students will be graded on a written test that can be submitted in English or German. The test will have five essay questions based on themes taken from the lecture handouts, which will be available on Moodle. The students may consult the literature and lecture notes while writing the test and paper.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Mandatary reading of literature. Optional participation in lecture. Written exam in English or German.

1 (sehr gut) -> 100-89 points
2 (gut) -> 88-76 points
3 (befriedigend) -> 75-63 points
4 (genügend) -> 62-50 points
5 (nicht genügend) -> 49-0 points

Examination topics

The examination will focus on the following topics:

- The general history of the Byzantine rite

- The development of the Divine Liturgy (celebration of the Eucharist)

- The mystagogical tradition (i.e., allegorical/typological interpretation) of the divine liturgy

- Contemporary pastoral needs and attempts at liturgical reform

Reading list

Mandatory Literature:

Schmemann, Alexander. For the Life of the World. 1973. (German translation: Schmemann, Alexander. Aus der Freude leben: Ein Glaubensbuch der orthodoxen Christen.)

Taft, Robert F. The Byzantine Rite: A Short History. 1992. (Also available in Italian, French, Spanish, Romanian, Russian, and Serbian).

Wybrew, Hugh. The Orthodox Liturgy: The Development of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite. 1989. (Also available in Romanian. German alternative: Schulz, Hans-Joachim. Die byzantinische Liturgie: Glaubenszeugnis und Symbolgestalt.)

Optional Literature:

Vukašinović, Vladimir. Liturgical renewal in the 20th Century. 2001.

Alexopoulos, Stefan, and Maxwell E. Johnson. Introduction to Eastern Christian Liturgies. 2022.

Getcha, Job. The Euchologion Unveiled. 2021.

Getcha, Job. The Typikon Decoded. 2012.

Felmy, Karl Christian. Einführung in die orthodoxe Theologie der Gegenwart. 3. Aufl.

Fürst, Alfons. Die Liturgie der alten Kirche: Geschichte und Theologie.

Association in the course directory

033 195 BRP 05orp

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:26