Chrismation: A Primer for Catholics

by Nicholas E. Denysenko

Overview

What is chrismation? Nicholas Denysenko breaks open chrismation as sacrament of belonging by exploring its history and liturgical theology. This study offers a sacramental theology of chrismation by examining its relationship with baptism and the Eucharist and its function as the ritual for receiving converts into the Orthodox Church. Drawing from a rich array of liturgical and theological sources, Denysenko explains how chrismation initiates the participant into the life of the triune God, beginning a process of theosis, becoming like God. The book includes a chapter comparing and contrasting chrismation and confirmation, along with pastoral suggestions for renewing the potential of this sacrament to transform the lives of participants.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814662984
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	05/07/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	724 KB

About the Author

Nicholas E. Denysenko is assistant professor of theological studies and director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. He is the author of The Blessing of Waters and Epiphany: The Eastern Liturgical Tradition (Ashgate), as well as articles and reviews in journals such as Studia Liturgica, Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, and Worship.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

List of Abbreviations xv

Introduction xvii

Chapter 1 Chrismation in the Byzantine Rites of Initiation 1

Chapter 2 Chrismation and the Reception of Converts 40

Chapter 3 Orthodox Theologians on Chrismation 90

Chapter 4 Chrismation and Catholic Confirmation 140

Conclusion 189

Index 203

Editorial Reviews

“Chrismation: A Primer for Catholics makes a much-needed and invaluable contribution to a hitherto neglected area in the study of confirmation. Denysenko’s creative conclusions will enlighten ministers, catechists, and the faithful of churches East and West.”
Paul Turner
Pastor, St. Anthony Parish
Kansas City, Missouri
Facilitator, International Commission on English in the Liturgy

EBOOK COMMENTARY

"In this book on chrismation, Denysenko exemplifies the best in ecumenical liturgical scholarship. Drawing on both Eastern and Western sources, ancient and modern, he uncovers for the reader the richness and diversity of both traditions. Catholics and Orthodox alike will benefit from reading this work."
Paul Meyendorff
The Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Yonkers, NY



“Chrismation: A Primer for Catholics makes a much-needed and invaluable contribution to a hitherto neglected area in the study of confirmation. Denysenko’s creative conclusions will enlighten ministers, catechists, and the faithful of churches East and West.”
Paul Turner
Pastor, St. Anthony Parish
Kansas City, Missouri
Facilitator, International Commission on English in the Liturgy



“Being happily grounded in his own Orthodox tradition, yet ecumenically hospitable, Denysenko gives us a work that will cross-fertilize the Catholic understanding of confirmation and Orthodox understanding of chrismation. The superb result is a study that bridges the academic and the pastoral so as to regenerate our appreciation of this venerable liturgical celebration.”
        David W. Fagerberg
        University of Notre Dame




"In the spirit of ecumenical action signaled by recent popes and patriarchs, this masterful contribution to mutual understanding of the sacrament among Catholics and Orthodox, East and West, may have the greatest potential to seal a final reunion and heal the wounds of division. Conceived in the tranches of pastoral ministry and born of productive research, Chrismation succeeds wonderfully at its stated goal ‘to unveil the mystery of chrismation and reveal it as a powerful sacrament of belonging capacitating the Christian to assume a holy identity in Christ in service in, to, and for the life of the world’ (p. 202). Few are better equipped to help us understand this mystery than Nicholas Denysenko."
H. Richard Rutherford, CSC, Worship

From the Publisher