Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #379233 in Books
• Published on: 1974-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 140 pages

About the Author
One of the foremost Orthodox Christian theologians of the twentieth century, Fr Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983)was a renowned preacher to the East through his Radio Liberty broadcasts to Soviet Russia; and a priest to the West and Professor of Liturgics and Dean at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY. Known primarily for his eucharistic centered theology, Fr Alexander was named by Skylight Publishing as one of the "Spiritual Inovators: Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed the World in the Past Century."

Customer Reviews

It completely changed my understanding of Great Lent.
Sadly Fr. Schmemann passed away 25 years ago, but his impact as the greatest modern Orthodox theologian lives on. This book is a seriously written theological work, but it's easily understood by the ordinary lay person as well as the theologian. Fr. Schmemann explains clearly and carefully the place and purpose of Great Lent and dispels the myth that it's merely another period of observances and self-denials as Roman Catholics practise. To Orthodox Catholics it's part of a complete attitude and way of life, and the relationship of Great Lent to Pascha and the rest of the year and to the life of the Church is well explained in this book. After reading it cover to cover I was left awestruck. Other than the Bible itself, if you never read another book, read this one. It will change your whole attitude toward life, I guarantee it.

Catechumen's Perspective
I read this book as a catechumen making my first journey through Orthodox Lent, and found it a wonderful guide and aid in making sense of the sights, sounds, smells, prayers, prostrations, liturgies, etc etc that set this season apart from others in the Christian year.

That said, Schmemann wrote in a far more engaging style and tone in his extremely popular "For the Life of the World." "Great Lent", in contrast, is drier (for Schmemann) and seems to drag a bit at times. That's not to detract from the value of the book in its essential purpose: to educate and enlighten Orthodox Christians, catechumens and inquirers about the theology behind, and inspired by, Church practices in Lent. It serves that purpose well, and gets 4 stars for it. However, I wish to reserve the five stars for some of his other books, which are truly outstanding both in content and style, whereas the style in this particular book felt weaker than his other works.

The chapter on the presanctified liturgy, describing the two views of the Church (both in waiting and in fulfillment) was masterful and, to me, showed some of that same Schmemann spark that makes one get all giddy to get back in Church and live this stuff out.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for any curious about educating themselves about Orthodox Lent and the Church's views on it.

On a scale of 1 to 5 this is a 10++++read
This is the book you want to give your Protestant and Catholic friends. It will detail for them just what Lenten Liturgical Worship is? (page 86, 87) and Looking for the Spiritual behind the formal (page 88) What Lent is & how it works? (Page 88) Along with What Christian Fasting is and is not, How to fast and the different kinds of fasting? (Pages 97, 98, 99)