The Mystagogy of St Maximos the Confessor
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), part 4

Class #4: 
The text for this series is "On the Ecclesiastical Mystagogy", by Jonathan J. Armstrong, SVS 
Press.
This class reviews chapters (8) through the beginning of (22) and covers St Maximos' symbolical interpretation of many of the elements of the Divine Liturgy: the First Entrance of the Bishop or Priest, the Entrance of the people, the Divine Readings and Songs, the Pronouncement of Peace, the reading of the Holy Gospel, the Closing of the Doors, the Entrance of the Holy Mysteries, the Kiss of Peace, the confession of the Symbol of Faith, the Trisagion, the "Our Father", the "One is Holy", and the receiving of the Holy Mysteries.

Notable quote: "... the whole of God fills the whole of them with himself and leaves nothing in them empty from his presence." --- end of Chp (21).

Topics discussed include:
1. Symbolic and allegorical interpretation; 
2. the Hierarchical Liturgy and differences between the 7th Century and modern day, e.g., the Antiphons would have been sung in procession from the Bishops residence to the Church; 
3. The Kiss of Peace; 
4. Laying aside all earthly care, passing from the sensible to noetic realm, that is into the Bridal Chamber of the Lamb; 
5. What it means to receive in an unworthy manner.

July 13, 2021
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