Basic Features of the Liturgy with Especial Reference to the East Syrian Eucharistic Liturgy
Theology as the living dialogue with Christ, or as a coordinator of church faith reflection: While Spirituality is living the faith' in the Church, evidently, liturgy becomes the faith experience of the Church. 'Living the faith' is taking place mostly in the liturgical celebration. The Church is built up by the very act of her worship and her life and grace are realized through her liturgical settings. Liturgy is not only the common work of the people of God constituting the Church, but it is also a divine operation transforming and sanctifying mankind and the whole of creation. In fact, it is God's work in which people of God participate. This paper attempts to underline the basic understanding of the liturgy by underlying its meaning, providing the elements for an authentic liturgical celebration and underline its stage of developments. Focusing on the 'East Syrian Rite', with special reference to its Eucharistic liturgy, this paper explores the historical traces of the rite in general, the structural frame work of church edifice, the principle stages of evolution of the Eucharistic liturgy, the general theological principles of the Eucharistic liturgy, its main commentators, and the elements of the Eucharist.