Three Types of Symbolic Interpretation of Worship in the Theology of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann

Abstract

Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann employs the concept of “symbol” in various ways: in the early period of his work, he uses it differently than in his later period. Comparing these various usages, the author of the article engages in a polemic with S. S. Frøyshov and P. B. Mikhailov regarding their assessment of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann’s views on the symbolic. The author proposes to consider the three types of symbolic interpretation of the liturgy employed by Father Alexan­der Schmemann not as a single system, but as competing approaches. Throu­ghout his theological career, Fr. Alexander Schmemann demonstrated the falsity of the generally accepted symbolic understanding of divine worship and conside­red his own method to be correct. In early articles, he called this method of interpreting worship “symbolic realism”, while in later articles, he calls it “eschatolo­gical symbo­lism” or “epiphanic symbolism”. With this interpretation, every element of the rite must be related to the reality of the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the purpose of each liturgical rite must be understood in terms of the transformation taking place within the community present at the service. Fr. Alexander Schmemann considers “pictorial symbolism” to be a false interpretation. In this case, certain elements of the rite must be correlated with certain episodes of Christ’s earthly life or His heaven­ly ministry. In one of the Schmemann’s final articles, a certain intermediate type of liturgical interpretation — mysterial symbolism — is added to the true and false types. This symbolism is associated, in particular, with the approach to liturgical interpretation found in St. Maximus the Confessor.

However, Protopresbyter considers this type inconsistent with the inherent symbolism of the liturgy, so he believes this “mysterial symbolism” to be incorrect. It is incorrect because it does not correspond to the inherent symbolism of worship. The inherent symbolism of worship presupposes a special type of interpretation of worship. The main characteristic of this type is the attribution of each rite to the Kingdom of God. Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann calls this type of interpretation “eschatological symbolism”. The article demonstrates a significance of the works of G. van der Leeuw and M. Eliade for Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann’s interpretation of the liturgy. Overall, the study contributes to our understanding of the method of interpreting divine worship used by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann.