“Tasting Heaven on Earth”

Among the Western theological developments the East missed during this period were the definition of original sin as hereditary guilt; the rise of tariff penance with its consequent notions of satisfaction for sin, purgatory and indulgences; and the medieval sacramental system with its seven sacraments and focus on the distribution of created grace. On the other side, the West never fully appreciated the East’s developments in Christology after the general Council of Chalcedon (451).

A significant cultural shift in the West was the different understanding of symbols the northern European tribes brought to their Christian faith. In Greco-Roman culture the symbol participated in the reality symbolized so that the reality was thought to be present in the symbol. In the new culture, the symbol took the place of an absent reality. It was in this atmosphere that questions were first raised about whether or not and how Christ was really present in the Eucharist.

— From an essay about “Tasting Heaven on Earth: Worship in Sixth-Century Constantinople” by Walter D. Ray « EerdWord.

My school library has it on order! :bounce:

Actually the entire Church at Worship series, of which this is the second volume, looks excellent: an introduction to provide historical and interpretive context, a map, a timeline, and a selection of primary sources about the liturgy in that time and place! Wow!

Volume 1 is on Fourth-Century Jerusalem. I don’t know what other volumes are planned, but what a terrific series for liturgy geeks!