Liturgy as Essentially Poietic

Abstract

The Christian liturgy is far more than a simple mobilization of a diverse range of artistic expressions in service of its ordinary performance; in fact, the liturgy is in essence a poiesis of the faith. Nor does this poiesis function as a system in harmony with Christian dogma and ethics, because in many regards it transcends these other two approaches. In the midst of the contemporary questioning concerning faith and life, believing and living, the centuries-old poiesis represents an invaluable resource. Truth alone cannot be imposed, nor should it be. More than ever, the symbolic translation of the faith, or to put it in other words, its aesthetic mediation, as expressed in its communitarian practice, will prove itself worthy of faith.