Great Lent: Journey to Pascha [Paperback]

Alexander Schmemann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1974

This revised edition of Father Alexander Schmemann's Lenten classic examines the meaning of Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian, the Canon of St Andrew of Crete and other neglected or misunderstood treasures of Lenten worship. Schmemann draws on the Church's sacramental and liturgical tradition to suggest the meaning of Lent in our life. The Lenten season is meant to kindle a 'bright sadness' within our hearts. Its aim is precisely the remembrance of Christ, a longing for a relationship with God that has been lost. Lent offers the time and place for recovery of this relationship. The darkness of Lent allows the flame of the Holy Spirit to burn within our hearts until we are led to the brilliance of the Resurrection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

One of the foremost Orthodox Christian theologians of the twentieth century, Fr Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983) was a renowned preacher to the East through his Radio Liberty broadcasts to Soviet Russia; and a priest to the West and Professor of Liturgics and Dean at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. Known primarily for his eucharistic centered theology, Fr Alexander was named by Skylight Publishing as one of the 'Spiritual Innovators: Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed the World in the Past Century.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: St Vladimirs Seminary Pr; 2nd edition (January 1, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913836044
• ISBN-13: 978-0913836040
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Holidays > Lent

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible Guide to the Lenten Journey, June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha (Paperback)

Father Alexander Schmemann, of blessed memory, the great Orthodox liturgical theologian, presents in this volume a series of brief yet spiritually incisive essays guiding the Orthodox believer through the season of Great Lent -- the period of prayer, fasting and alms-giving thaht precedes Pascha, the Orthodox Easter. Father Alexander explains the spiritual significance of the Lenten calendar, practices and special Lenten services, such as the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, in a fresh and thoughtful manner. This book is required reading for all Orthodox Christians on their Lenten journey.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading every year, March 7, 2003

By 

N. K. Steinhoff (La Mirada, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha (Paperback)

Fr. Alexander's exposition of the mindset of Lent is indispensable. He demonstrates clearly how Lent is more than following rules and giving up "the good stuff" until we can indulge oursleves at Pascha. Lent is, rather, a time to rediscover who we are and why we are here. I recommend any serious Christian reread this book every year when Lent approaches.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Catechumen's Perspective, May 18, 2005

By 

Seeker (America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha (Paperback)

I read this book as a catechumen making my first journey through Orthodox Lent, and found it a wonderful guide and aid in making sense of the sights, sounds, smells, prayers, prostrations, liturgies, etc etc that set this season apart from others in the Christian year.

That said, Schmemann wrote in a far more engaging style and tone in his extremely popular "For the Life of the World." "Great Lent", in contrast, is drier (for Schmemann) and seems to drag a bit at times. That's not to detract from the value of the book in its essential purpose: to educate and enlighten Orthodox Christians, catechumens and inquirers about the theology behind, and inspired by, Church practices in Lent. It serves that purpose well, and gets 4 stars for it. However, I wish to reserve the five stars for some of his other books, which are truly outstanding both in content and style, whereas the style in this particular book felt weaker than his other works.

The chapter on the presanctified liturgy, describing the two views of the Church (both in waiting and in fulfillment) was masterful and, to me, showed some of that same Schmemann spark that makes one get all giddy to get back in Church and live this stuff out.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for any curious about educating themselves about Orthodox Lent and the Church's views on it.