LITURGICAL THEOLOGY AS A FIELD OF CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY IN UKRAINE
Keywords:
religion, liturgy, religious identity, liturgical theology, church, theological education, ministryAbstract
The article examines the essence of liturgical theology as a distinctive and at the same time fundamental form of theological thinking that unites direct liturgical experience with intellectual reflection on the nature of the Church, its sacramental structure, and its ecclesiological self-understanding. The author focuses on defining the goals, tasks, and place of this discipline within the structure of contemporary academic theology in Ukraine, emphasizing its significant role in shaping a holistic, integrated, and existentially grounded theological approach. It is shown that liturgical theology is not only a theoretical interpretation of ritual or its historical forms, but also a living path of spiritual experience in which faith acquires a personal dimension, and theological truths unfold within the mystagogical horizon of the human encounter with God. It is emphasized that participation in the liturgy contributes to forming the religious identity of both the individual believer and the ecclesial community as a whole, integrating the ecclesial, cultural, symbolic, and anthropological dimensions of Christian life and ensuring the continuity of tradition in the contemporary context. The mystagogical potential of the liturgy is revealed as a means of divine knowledge that enables the transition from external ritual expressions to their inner sacramental meaning and to the discovery of the profound symbolism of worship. The study outlines the key challenges faced in teaching and scholarly interpretation of this discipline in Ukraine, including the need for a clear distinction between liturgics and liturgical theology, the development of methodological coherence, the improvement of educational programs, the strengthening of interdisciplinary approaches, and the formation of a distinct theological school. In conclusion, the article emphasizes that the development of liturgical theology is a necessary condition for integrating Ukrainian theological education into the European academic space, as well as an important factor in deepening contemporary ecclesial identity and renewing theological discourse.
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