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The Eucharist: Sacrament of the Kingdom
The Eucharist is the crowning achievement of the well-known liturgical scholar, Alexander Schmemann. It reflects his entire life experience and thoughts on the Divine Liturgy, the Church's central act of self-realization. Father Alexander Schmemann (+1983) was a prolific writer, brilliant lecturer, and dedicated pastor.
245 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Alexander Schmemann
61 books183 followersProtopresbyter Alexander Schmemann was a prominent Eastern Orthodox theologian and priest of the Orthodox Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 1, 2009
Although Alexander Schmemann did not live to polish this last of his works, it is still a major contribution to liturgical theology. Schmemann writes with his usual piety, knowledge, and practical insight. The work is devotional and pastoral, rather than academic. Schmemann points out many areas in which Eastern Orthodox practice has fallen away from its own rich history and legacy. He is not afraid to criticize his own tradition, and I admire him for that. At the same time, I believe we Western Protestants have much to learn from Orthodoxy. Many of the theological "problems" that we obsess over simply aren't that big a deal for Orthodoxy. They have refreshing, and complementary, perspectives on liturgy, the eucharist, and even the meaning of salvation.
June 19, 2020
I always feel too overwhelmed to be able to write a proper review of Schmemann’s writing. But I am grateful to attempt one this time because I was very compelled and convicted by this book, which is a masterpiece of lived theology and spirituality. I feel indeed that I and everyone is called to a much greater reality and responsibility to the Body of Christ.
I am very touched by the presentation of the Church and her purpose, mission, goal, and essence, which Schmemann experiences and sees in the early church. The Church is the Kingdom of God and she is heaven on earth. The Church is in every way possible, the Body of Christ. The Church is offered with our bread and wine and all the creation of God’s, with Christ and as a part of Christ. The Church is the manifestation and the arm of the Divine Love in the world. The Church is the assembly which ascends to heaven, where the angels and powers and principalities bless God and where the Cherubim cries Holy, Holy, Holy. The Church is the gathering of the saints, those in heaven and on earth, as one. The Church is a proper thanksgiving which is the realization of who we are and what we are in God’s eyes. The Church is the new life who rises to this newness and this true life in the Eucharist. The Church is a transcendent unity and a transcendent freedom. The Church is assigned a duty to ascend and it is a duty that all her members must join together to achieve. The Church is the Kingdom and, her work, the Eucharist, is the fullness, the manifestation, the realization, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
This is a masterpiece.
I am very touched by the presentation of the Church and her purpose, mission, goal, and essence, which Schmemann experiences and sees in the early church. The Church is the Kingdom of God and she is heaven on earth. The Church is in every way possible, the Body of Christ. The Church is offered with our bread and wine and all the creation of God’s, with Christ and as a part of Christ. The Church is the manifestation and the arm of the Divine Love in the world. The Church is the assembly which ascends to heaven, where the angels and powers and principalities bless God and where the Cherubim cries Holy, Holy, Holy. The Church is the gathering of the saints, those in heaven and on earth, as one. The Church is a proper thanksgiving which is the realization of who we are and what we are in God’s eyes. The Church is the new life who rises to this newness and this true life in the Eucharist. The Church is a transcendent unity and a transcendent freedom. The Church is assigned a duty to ascend and it is a duty that all her members must join together to achieve. The Church is the Kingdom and, her work, the Eucharist, is the fullness, the manifestation, the realization, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
This is a masterpiece.
December 10, 2023
This is a great book that everyone interested in the Eucharist but also in sacraments more generally (irrespective of denomination) should read!
Schmemann reminds us that the sacrament in the “Eucharist” is not just transformation of bread and wine in to body and blood of Christ, but the sacrament of the Eucharist is the Church itself! Gathering of the people of God, in the kingdom of God.
“The purpose of the eucharist lies not in the change of the bread and wine, but in our partaking of Christ, who has become our food, our life, the manifestation of the Church as the body of Christ … Nothing is explained, nothing is defined, nothing has changed ‘in the word.’” p.226
Schmemann reminds us that the sacrament in the “Eucharist” is not just transformation of bread and wine in to body and blood of Christ, but the sacrament of the Eucharist is the Church itself! Gathering of the people of God, in the kingdom of God.
“The purpose of the eucharist lies not in the change of the bread and wine, but in our partaking of Christ, who has become our food, our life, the manifestation of the Church as the body of Christ … Nothing is explained, nothing is defined, nothing has changed ‘in the word.’” p.226
February 25, 2017
I hadn't read much of Fr. Schememann for several years and it was a joy to read him again (I read the book when it was first published). I don't remember liking the book all that much when I first read it - it is similar to many other things he wrote, so it didn't seem like anything new. But now not having read him much in recent years I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with his liturgical theology. It is brilliant and the best Orthodox understanding of the Liturgy I've ever read. He is critical of the received tradition, but in the end he didn't advocate for putting his ideas into practice. Perhaps he couldn't - many bishops didn't like his ideas and to push that they be put into practice and replace the received tradition was probably more than they could bear. The book is slightly dated in that he was arguing against the trends in liturgical piety of 40-50 years ago. I wish he would have been able to do the Liturgy as he thought it should be done.
September 22, 2020
Loved this so much. A book for every Orthodox Christian to read and dwell on. Schmemann offers so many insights to help us to deepen our beautiful Faith, and in particular, to improve our understanding and gratitude for the Divine Liturgy. Highly recommend.
February 1, 2022
This book completely transformed how I see life, the Eucharist, and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. It may be difficult for anybody who is not familiar with Eastern Catholicism to grasp, but, in a word: WOW.
October 18, 2016
This book is a map of heaven.
October 19, 2021
Goodness, what a book. What a labor of love. The insight this author had into the deepness of God and Christ in the Church is astounding, beautiful, and profound. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I pray I can realize and remember all the wonderful lessons it holds.
This is a posthumous translation of Fr. Schmemann's book on the Eucharist, originally written in Russian and partially translated by the author into English before his falling asleep in Christ. It is a moment-by-moment deep analysis of the Orthodox Church's main service: the Divine Liturgy. In looking at this service, Fr. Schmemann also touches on nearly every important piece of Christianity: the purpose of the Church, what is truly the Kingdom of God, why is the Eucharist important, what was accomplished at the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, how has the church historically viewed itself and its rites, and what does all of this mean for the everyday Christian, the Church as a whole, and even the whole world.
This is mind-blowingly profound. I mean, this author, in just trying to describe the significance of the Divine Liturgy also goes in depth discussing memory, time, symbol, reality, words, freedom, and unity. It's truly a cosmic work. It's not about the service as an explanation of what it is and what happens in it, but about the service as it defines the entirety of the Christian experience of life itself. It's rich, poignant, insightful, and it helped me so much in understanding not just more of the Divine Liturgy but of Orthodoxy, of Christ, of the faith, of what life even is.
Fr. Schmemann has a scathing view of Western theology, particularly where it focuses too much on the "part" or "definition" rather than on how the parts connect to a whole or the experience of something vs just knowledge about it. He condemns the overbearing scholarization of Eastern theology that has crept in from the West, and this is a reality I can attest to, having been educated in Western theology and finding that it does tend to distract the Christian from the reality of the Christian life, moving it out of the realm of the tangible and into the realm of the cognitive, basically removing the spiritual life from reality. Yet, I was encouraged with how Fr. Schmemann said that the truth of what Christianity is and who God is and what the Liturgy really is can be felt and perceived by any average joe who is open enough to receiving it. In fact, many of the deep things he discussed, I already had an inkling about just from my own experience of the Eucharist. It was so good to hear him confirm many of my thoughts and then take them even further to heights I never even realized.
This book loses a star because, despite how gorgeous and deep and impactful it is, it is a difficult read. The writing is more technical and of a higher level than the casual reader would typically read. It's right up there with most philosophical books as far as complexity goes, and I just don't think it is accessible to the average person. I'm an avid reader who frequently enjoys complicated and scholarly works, and I could only handle maybe 40 pages of this book at a time (which, for me, is rather low. I can average usually 60-80 pages in an hour for nonfiction and 100 for fiction). It should definitely be required reading for seminary students though. Anyone looking toward the priesthood or any sort of ministry within the Orthodox Church should read what this book has to say.
Overall, I was really impacted by this book. It's powerful and full of concepts that me as a Western Christian never truly understood before. If you're in seminary or if reading scholarly material doesn't intimidate you, I hugely recommend this book, and I hope there's a "layman's" version out there somewhere for everyone else because it really should be read by every Orthodox Christian.
This is a posthumous translation of Fr. Schmemann's book on the Eucharist, originally written in Russian and partially translated by the author into English before his falling asleep in Christ. It is a moment-by-moment deep analysis of the Orthodox Church's main service: the Divine Liturgy. In looking at this service, Fr. Schmemann also touches on nearly every important piece of Christianity: the purpose of the Church, what is truly the Kingdom of God, why is the Eucharist important, what was accomplished at the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, how has the church historically viewed itself and its rites, and what does all of this mean for the everyday Christian, the Church as a whole, and even the whole world.
This is mind-blowingly profound. I mean, this author, in just trying to describe the significance of the Divine Liturgy also goes in depth discussing memory, time, symbol, reality, words, freedom, and unity. It's truly a cosmic work. It's not about the service as an explanation of what it is and what happens in it, but about the service as it defines the entirety of the Christian experience of life itself. It's rich, poignant, insightful, and it helped me so much in understanding not just more of the Divine Liturgy but of Orthodoxy, of Christ, of the faith, of what life even is.
Fr. Schmemann has a scathing view of Western theology, particularly where it focuses too much on the "part" or "definition" rather than on how the parts connect to a whole or the experience of something vs just knowledge about it. He condemns the overbearing scholarization of Eastern theology that has crept in from the West, and this is a reality I can attest to, having been educated in Western theology and finding that it does tend to distract the Christian from the reality of the Christian life, moving it out of the realm of the tangible and into the realm of the cognitive, basically removing the spiritual life from reality. Yet, I was encouraged with how Fr. Schmemann said that the truth of what Christianity is and who God is and what the Liturgy really is can be felt and perceived by any average joe who is open enough to receiving it. In fact, many of the deep things he discussed, I already had an inkling about just from my own experience of the Eucharist. It was so good to hear him confirm many of my thoughts and then take them even further to heights I never even realized.
This book loses a star because, despite how gorgeous and deep and impactful it is, it is a difficult read. The writing is more technical and of a higher level than the casual reader would typically read. It's right up there with most philosophical books as far as complexity goes, and I just don't think it is accessible to the average person. I'm an avid reader who frequently enjoys complicated and scholarly works, and I could only handle maybe 40 pages of this book at a time (which, for me, is rather low. I can average usually 60-80 pages in an hour for nonfiction and 100 for fiction). It should definitely be required reading for seminary students though. Anyone looking toward the priesthood or any sort of ministry within the Orthodox Church should read what this book has to say.
Overall, I was really impacted by this book. It's powerful and full of concepts that me as a Western Christian never truly understood before. If you're in seminary or if reading scholarly material doesn't intimidate you, I hugely recommend this book, and I hope there's a "layman's" version out there somewhere for everyone else because it really should be read by every Orthodox Christian.
January 1, 2018
The ebullient and occasionally exasperating cri de coeur of one of my favorite theologians, patiently doing what he does best--marveling at the depths of the riches of the Church's liturgy, and especially its crown and glory, the Eucharist. Schmemann has his bugbears, (the Western perversion of Orthodox spirituality, "school theology," and fetishistic pietism being the main ones), and can't not hunt them down, but his childlike awe at the goodness of God offered Man in creation and redemption, expressed in the Eucharistic rites of Chrysostom and Basil the Great, his totalizing vision of God's love in Church, world, and kingdom, his fresh and ancient (if occasionally superficial) reading of particular Scriptures in light of the whole, all these make the read an opportunity for worship.
June 27, 2024
Schmemann is the man!! 🔥🔥
I can’t wait to reread this one!
“The homily can be, and often is even today, intelligent, interesting, instructive and comforting, but, these are not the criteria by which we can distinguish a ‘good’ homily from a ‘bad’ one – these are not its real essence. Its essence lies in its living link to the gospel that was read in the church assembly.”[1] He continues by saying, “The condition for true preaching therefore must be precisely the complete self-denial of the preacher, the repudiation of everything that is only his own, even his own gifts and talents.”[2]
[1] Alexander Schmemann, The Eucharist (Crestwood, New York: St. Vladmirs Seminary Press, 1988). Pg. 77
[2] Alexander Schmemann. Pg. 78
I can’t wait to reread this one!
“The homily can be, and often is even today, intelligent, interesting, instructive and comforting, but, these are not the criteria by which we can distinguish a ‘good’ homily from a ‘bad’ one – these are not its real essence. Its essence lies in its living link to the gospel that was read in the church assembly.”[1] He continues by saying, “The condition for true preaching therefore must be precisely the complete self-denial of the preacher, the repudiation of everything that is only his own, even his own gifts and talents.”[2]
[1] Alexander Schmemann, The Eucharist (Crestwood, New York: St. Vladmirs Seminary Press, 1988). Pg. 77
[2] Alexander Schmemann. Pg. 78
April 13, 2022
An excellent work of Christian theology for and from the Church. As a reader who is not at all familiar with the Orthodox tradition of the east, it’s nature as deeply situated in this tradition made reading it a bit challenging, but it was well worth the struggle. For, it is not so much situated in the tradition as birthed out of it, so it is doxological, pastoral, historical, and practical, as all theology should be. It is as much a theology of the Eucharist as it is a theology of the Church and the Eucharistic gathering. All in all, The Eucharist is a wholistic exploration of the Eucharist with a great wealth to offer Christians of any tradition.
June 12, 2019
Essential reading for Christians who celebrate eucharist (communion).
February 17, 2021
جميل جدا جدا جدا
November 1, 2021
The best book that I have read so far on the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church. Too bad that even today so many "churches" fail to take notice of the author's warnings.
July 25, 2022
2022 - ties in a lot with thoughts about frequent communion and the movement towards such.
May 16, 2024
There's a lot of good stuff in here. Likely would've gotten 4 stars had I realized what I was getting into. I was prepared for a different kind of book, but still good nonetheless.
November 27, 2013
t is difficult to review this book one level. It is tempting for the reviewer to isolate the different chapters and give an account of them. Perhaps this is necessary, but it also leads one into the trap Fr. Schmemann warned against: dismembering the elements of the Eucharist for private analysis robs them of their power (196). Nevertheless, I shall try.
The purpose of the Eucharist is "partaking of Christ, who has become our food, our life, our manifestation as the body of Christ" (226). Fr Schmemann orders his thoughts around the anaphora, the movement of ascent into the heavenly places. It is going out from this world into heaven (60). This somewhat explains the intricate symbolism (I know he will shun that word) behind Eastern sacramentology. Fr Schmemann makes numerous, if sometimes vague, criticisms of Western Sacramentology, particularly Catholic transubstantiation. For the East, however, the key moment, if one may use that phrase, is in the *epiklesis,* or the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
Fr Schmemann loosely defines a sacrament as embracing the entire mystery of the salvation of the world and mankind by Christ and in essence the entire content of the Christian faith (217). That is the most important sentence in the book, in my opinion.
Evaluation
This book is much harder to follow than For the Life of the World. He refers to many internal discussions in Eastern Orthodox seminaries, much of which is lost on the outside reader. If he would have briefly defined a few of them, it would have helped out. But no matter, the book was superb and an essential study in liturgical theology. It has many gems within.
The purpose of the Eucharist is "partaking of Christ, who has become our food, our life, our manifestation as the body of Christ" (226). Fr Schmemann orders his thoughts around the anaphora, the movement of ascent into the heavenly places. It is going out from this world into heaven (60). This somewhat explains the intricate symbolism (I know he will shun that word) behind Eastern sacramentology. Fr Schmemann makes numerous, if sometimes vague, criticisms of Western Sacramentology, particularly Catholic transubstantiation. For the East, however, the key moment, if one may use that phrase, is in the *epiklesis,* or the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
Fr Schmemann loosely defines a sacrament as embracing the entire mystery of the salvation of the world and mankind by Christ and in essence the entire content of the Christian faith (217). That is the most important sentence in the book, in my opinion.
Evaluation
This book is much harder to follow than For the Life of the World. He refers to many internal discussions in Eastern Orthodox seminaries, much of which is lost on the outside reader. If he would have briefly defined a few of them, it would have helped out. But no matter, the book was superb and an essential study in liturgical theology. It has many gems within.
June 3, 2016
This book is dense, deep, and requires slow reading. Likely the reader is going to encounter concepts and insights that probably won't have heard in many other places, if ever at all.
A must read for every Orthodox who looks into deepening his understanding on the Eucharist, the studious on this topic, or whoever wants to get a purely Orthodox perspective on what the Eucharist is.
The Eucharist is part of a whole liturgic experience therefore it cannot and should not be arbitrarily isolated as an object of analysis as "school theologians" did since that would destroyed the wholeness, understanding, and unity of such experience and reality. So as every aspect of the liturgy is sacramental, just as every aspect of life and creation is sacramental too, therefore to reduce the Eucharist to formulas and external clerical authority is to strip it of its sacramental unity with the rest. The early Church consciousness kept by all until "school theology" (scholasticism subsequently neo-scholasticism) came was that every one is an active participant/concelebrant in it, from the Trinity to the new born baby to creation itself. This is reflected not in the historical study of the Eucharist but in the prayers pertaining to it. The criteria of the lex orandi lex credendi was/is particularly live(d) out through the Eucharist.
The author's explanation on the Orthodox understanding of sacrament/sacramental, and symbol/symbolism is mind-blowing.
A must read for every Orthodox who looks into deepening his understanding on the Eucharist, the studious on this topic, or whoever wants to get a purely Orthodox perspective on what the Eucharist is.
The Eucharist is part of a whole liturgic experience therefore it cannot and should not be arbitrarily isolated as an object of analysis as "school theologians" did since that would destroyed the wholeness, understanding, and unity of such experience and reality. So as every aspect of the liturgy is sacramental, just as every aspect of life and creation is sacramental too, therefore to reduce the Eucharist to formulas and external clerical authority is to strip it of its sacramental unity with the rest. The early Church consciousness kept by all until "school theology" (scholasticism subsequently neo-scholasticism) came was that every one is an active participant/concelebrant in it, from the Trinity to the new born baby to creation itself. This is reflected not in the historical study of the Eucharist but in the prayers pertaining to it. The criteria of the lex orandi lex credendi was/is particularly live(d) out through the Eucharist.
The author's explanation on the Orthodox understanding of sacrament/sacramental, and symbol/symbolism is mind-blowing.
April 16, 2017
This is one of Schmemann's most important works. Published posthumously, it explores the Orthodox eucharistic liturgy. It is is forceful analysis and theology. For those like me who are Protestant, the book opens up concepts and visions that will be fruitful, even if I'm not fully on board.
It is a reminder of the centrality of the Eucharist, not only to worship, to our vision of God's realm. Not an easy read, but worthwhile for those desiring to explore the meaning of the Eucharist.
It is a reminder of the centrality of the Eucharist, not only to worship, to our vision of God's realm. Not an easy read, but worthwhile for those desiring to explore the meaning of the Eucharist.
January 17, 2013
Best book on this subject that I have ever read. Moving. Deep. It will change your perspective of what the Church truly is: its mission, purpose. The presence of the Lord permeates this book. Thank God for Alexander Schmemann.
December 27, 2011
Reads more like a text book. Perhaps a better pick for clergy.
August 11, 2011
A compelling introduction to the Divine Liturgy by the foremost scholar of orthodox liturgical theology! read with Water & Spirit.
Read
February 29, 2012I didn't technically read this, but you understand.
March 16, 2012
This is one of the best books I've ever read on the sacrament of communion. If you read nothing else on the subject, choose this one.
October 23, 2013
Read long ago. Reread 2013. Very rich and full.
February 24, 2014
This is a beautiful exegesis of the Eastern Orthodox Eucharist liturgy. Beautiful. Challenging. Frustrating. Enlightening. Hopeful.
February 6, 2016
Read for class
August 12, 2020
A joyful consummation of Liturgy and Life.
December 29, 2017
Most books, I would not even bother with a second reading but with this one... I not only thoroughly enjoyed the second reading but was able to better cement into my mind the content of it. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews