The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy
Issues of Doctrinal History in East and West from Patristic Age to the Reformation
Réka Forrai (Editor), Gyorgy Geréby (Editor), István Perczel (Editor),
The present volume has been built up around fifteen papers presented at an international conference co-organised by the Department of Medieval Studies of the Central European University, Budapest, the Centre d’Etude des Religions du livre, Paris, the De Wulf-Mansion Centre at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, Hungary. The conference was convened to discuss the general conceptual, doctrinal and – broadly speaking – theological and philosophical aspects of the developments concerning the Eucharistic doctrines of the Christian Churches, not just the Western ones, but the Byzantino-Slavic and Oriental ones too.
When organizing the final shape of the volume at hand, the editors were eager to get contributions with a wide divergence of perspectives. In this way, the so-called “Nestorian Controversy” and the aftermath of Chalcedon received great emphasis, their problems being several times approached in the Patristic section of this book, by authors who in no way agree in its evaluation, but rather, for a long while, have been in debate with each other. Similar is the case with the crucial debates in the medieval theology of the Eucharist, be it Eastern or Western.
Even more tangibly, the great questions of a “symbolist” or “realist” interpretation of the presence of Christ in the bread and the wine, or, once the doctrine of the “real presence” had been affirmed, its modalities, such as “transsubstantiation” or “transformation”, or the question of what happens to the bread and the wine, and when, during the liturgical celebration, in order that they might become the real body and blood of Christ, are treated over and over in these contributions just as they have been treated over and over during the intellectual history under review.
This recurrence of the same or similar doctrinal problems in diverse circumstances, envisaged from different theological, philosophical or historical perspectives, is one of the factors that give this volume its unity.
Introduction
István PERCZEL
In memoriam Edward Yarnold and Michel van Esbroeck
Theresia HAINTHALER
I. PATRISTICA
Perspectives on the Eucharist in the Nestorian Controversy
Theresia HAINTHALER
From Eucharist to Christology: the Life-giving Body of Christ in Cyril of Alexandria, Eutyches and Julian of Halicarnassus
Patrick T.R. GRAY
La très divine Cène…archisymbole de tout sacrement (EH 428B). Symbole et eucharistie chez Denys l’Aréopagite et dans la tradition antiochienne
Ysabel DE ANDIA
L’implication eucharistique dans le milieu antichalcédonien
Michel VAN ESBROECK, S.J.
La relation entre sacrifice et la communion dans la théologie de Hovhan Mandakouni
Rev. Boghos Levon ZEKIYAN
II. BYZANTINA
Mysteries for the Uninitiated. The Role and Symbolism of the Eucharist in Miraculous Dream Healing
Ildikó CSEPREGI
The Bread, the Wine and Immaterial Body: Saint Symeon the New Theolgian on the Eucharistic Mysteries
István PERCZEL
Die Entwicklung der Theologie der Eucharistie in Byzanz von 1054-1453
Archimandrite Vasilios GROLIMUND
The Eucharist and Hesychasm, with Special Reference to Theophanes III, Metropolitan of Nicaea
Andrew LOUTH
III. OCCIDENTALIA
Die Eucharistie-Diskussion im lateinischen Mittelalter und Ihre Inkommensurabilität mit der Ostlichen Tradition
Georgi KAPRIEV
Durandus of Saint-Pourçain on Eucharistic Presence
Paul J.J.M. BAKKER
Le prêtre et ses mains
Zénon KALUZA
IV. LITURGICA ET THEOLOGICA
The Fourth-Century Liturgy of Edessa Reflected in Ephraim’s Madroshe 4 and 5 on Faith
Andrew PALMER
The Theological Significance of the Epiklesis in the Liturgy of Saint James
Rev. Baby VARGHESE
Transsubstantiation
Edward YARNOLD, S.J.
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Names (Ancient and Medieval)
Index of Biblical Passages
Index of Latin Terms
Index of Greek Terms
The book's final contribution stems from the late Edward Yarnold. It comprises a short but very clearly written survey of the development of 'the doctrine of the transsubstantiation'. This paper, modestly called a 'case study', only briefly deals with Christian Antiquity. Yet, it may be recommended to everybody who is interested in the doctrinal (theological and philosophical) aspects of the Eucharist. Moreover, it constitutes a wonderful conclusion of this, in many respects, rich volume.
Review in Vigiliae Christianae 64 (2010) 89-104, Gerard Rouwhorst, University of Tilburg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy" about?
The present volume has been built up around fifteen papers presented at an international conference co-organised by the Department of Medieval Studies of the Central European University, Budapest, the Centre d'Etude des Religions du livre, Paris, the De Wulf-Mansion Centre at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, Hungary. The conference was convened to discuss the general conceptual, doctrinal and - broadly speaking - theological and philosophical aspects of the developments concerning the Eucharistic doctrines of the Christian Churches, not just the Western ones, but the Byzantino-Slavic and Oriental ones too.
When organizing the final shape of the volume at hand, the editors were eager to get contributions with a wide divergence of perspectives. In this way, the so-called "Nestorian Controversy" and the aftermath of Chalcedon received great emphasis, their problems being several times approached in the Patristic section of this book, by authors who in no way agree in its evaluation, but rather, for a long while, have been in debate with each other. Similar is the case with the crucial debates in the medieval theology of the Eucharist, be it Eastern or Western.
Even more tangibly, the great questions of a "symbolist" or "realist" interpretation of the presence of Christ in the bread and the wine, or, once the doctrine of the "real presence" had been affirmed, its modalities, such as "transsubstantiation" or "transformation", or the question of what happens to the bread and the wine, and when, during the liturgical celebration, in order that they might become the real body and blood of Christ, are treated over and over in these contributions just as they have been treated over and over during the intellectual history under review.
This recurrence of the same or similar doctrinal problems in diverse circumstances, envisaged from different theological, philosophical or historical perspectives, is one of the factors that give this volume its unity.
Who edited "The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy"?
"The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy" was edited by Réka Forrai, Gyorgy Geréby and István Perczel.
Is "The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy" part of a series?
Yes, "The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy" is part of the "Ancient and Medieval Philosophy - Series 1" series. It's book 35 in the series.
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy - Series 1 presents state-of-the-art research on the history of Western thought from its origins to the beginnings of modernity.
In association with The De Wulf-Mansion Centre.
About the Series
The series' focus lies primarily on the continuity and thematic transitions between ancient, medieval and renaissance thought, but also includes volumes on specific topics related to any of those periods. ‘Philosophy' is understood broadly to include metaphysics, ethics, natural philosophy, epistemology and philosophy of mind, and philosophical theology. Since the series is particularly devoted to making available Latin and Greek source texts, we welcome critical text editions as well as contributions that are based on philological scrutiny of those texts, without losing sight of their philosophical importance.
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy - Series 1 aims to publish at least two volumes a year and accepts monographs as well as thematically coherent edited volumes in English (without excluding the possibility of French, German, or Italian contributions to edited volumes). Manuscripts should be 80.000 to 120.000 words in length.
Readership
Researchers and graduate students in ancient, medieval and renaissance philosophy, in classics and in history.
Editorial Coordinator
Russell Friedman, KU Leuven, Belgium
Editorial Board
Pieter Beullens, KU Leuven, Belgium
Lisa Devriese, KU Leuven, Belgium
Pieter d'Hoine, KU Leuven, Belgium
Jan Opsomer, KU Leuven, Belgium
Jenny Pelletier, KU Leuven, Belgium
Andrea Robiglio, KU Leuven, Belgium
Carlos Steel, KU Leuven, Belgium
Gerd Van Riel, KU Leuven, Belgium
Advisory Board
Brad Inwood, Yale Universityo, USA
Jill Kraye, The Warburg Institute, London, United Kingdom
John Marenbon, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Lodi Nauta, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Timothy Noone (†) , The Catholic University of America, USA
Robert Pasnau, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
Martin Pickavé, University of Toronto, Canada,
Pasquale Porro, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
Geert Roskam, KU Leuven, Belgium
Proposals
Proposals and enquiries can be sent to editorial coordinator Russell L. Friedman. Please send a preliminary abstract (3-4 pp.) and a short bio. Upon approval of this abstract, the full manuscript will be submitted to international peer review.
Please make use of the submission form to present the full manuscript to our board.
Authors interested in Open Access can consult the available funding options.
Links & Resources
What is the Table of Contents for "The Eucharist in Theology and Philosophy"?
Introduction
István PERCZEL
In memoriam Edward Yarnold and Michel van Esbroeck
Theresia HAINTHALER
I. PATRISTICA
Perspectives on the Eucharist in the Nestorian Controversy
Theresia HAINTHALER
From Eucharist to Christology: the Life-giving Body of Christ in Cyril of Alexandria, Eutyches and Julian of Halicarnassus
Patrick T.R. GRAY
La très divine Cène...archisymbole de tout sacrement (EH 428B). Symbole et eucharistie chez Denys l'Aréopagite et dans la tradition antiochienne
Ysabel DE ANDIA
L'implication eucharistique dans le milieu antichalcédonien
Michel VAN ESBROECK, S.J.
La relation entre sacrifice et la communion dans la théologie de Hovhan Mandakouni
Rev. Boghos Levon ZEKIYAN
II. BYZANTINA
Mysteries for the Uninitiated. The Role and Symbolism of the Eucharist in Miraculous Dream Healing
Ildikó CSEPREGI
The Bread, the Wine and Immaterial Body: Saint Symeon the New Theolgian on the Eucharistic Mysteries
István PERCZEL
Die Entwicklung der Theologie der Eucharistie in Byzanz von 1054-1453
Archimandrite Vasilios GROLIMUND
The Eucharist and Hesychasm, with Special Reference to Theophanes III, Metropolitan of Nicaea
Andrew LOUTH
III. OCCIDENTALIA
Die Eucharistie-Diskussion im lateinischen Mittelalter und Ihre Inkommensurabilität mit der Ostlichen Tradition
Georgi KAPRIEV
Durandus of Saint-Pourçain on Eucharistic Presence
Paul J.J.M. BAKKER
Le prêtre et ses mains
Zénon KALUZA
IV. LITURGICA ET THEOLOGICA
The Fourth-Century Liturgy of Edessa Reflected in Ephraim's Madroshe 4 and 5 on Faith
Andrew PALMER
The Theological Significance of the Epiklesis in the Liturgy of Saint James
Rev. Baby VARGHESE
Transsubstantiation
Edward YARNOLD, S.J.
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Names (Ancient and Medieval)
Index of Biblical Passages
Index of Latin Terms
Index of Greek Terms
Related titles
Orality and Scribal Culture in the High Middle Ages
Timothy B. Noone (Author), Mark J. Clark (Author),
October 2026
Petri Thomae Quaestiones de formis
Petrus Thomae (Author), Garrett R. Smith (Editor),
September 2026
Summa (Quaestiones ordinariae) art. LXXIII – LXXV
Henry of Ghent (Author), Gordon Wilson (Editor), Juan Carlos Flores (Editor),
August 2026
The Medieval Aristotle
Nena Bobovnik (Editor), Clelia V. Crialesi (Editor), Lisa Devriese (Editor),
August 2026
Thomas Aquinas and Hervaeus Natalis on Concepts and Intentional Objects
Fabrizio Amerini (Author),
February 2026
Epicureanism and Scientific Debates. Epicurean Tradition and its Ancient Reception
Francesca Masi (Editor), Pierre-Marie Morel (Editor), Francesco Verde (Editor),
November 2024
Quaestiones de divinis praedicamentis XXVIII-XXXII
James of Viterbo (Author), Mark D. Gossiaux (Editor), Christopher D. Schabel (Editor),
June 2024
Summa (Quaestiones ordinariae) art. LXIII-LXVII
Henry of Ghent (Author), Gordon Wilson (Editor), Girard Etzkorn (Editor), Bernd Goehring (Editor), Linda N. Etzkorn (Assisted by),
February 2024
Epicureanism and Scientific Debates. Antiquity and Late Reception
Francesca Masi (Editor), Pierre-Marie Morel (Editor), Francesco Verde (Editor),
August 2023
Questiones super I-VII libros Politicorum
Peter of Auvergne (Author), Marco Toste (Editor),
December 2022
Neo-Thomism in Action
Wim Decock (Editor), Bart Raymaekers (Editor), Peter Heyrman (Editor),
December 2021