Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 2013 Encountering Eucharistic Presence Within a Postmodern Context: A Dialogue Among Chauvet, Schmemann and Zizioulas Jason Gary DelVitto Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation DelVitto, J. (2013). Encountering Eucharistic Presence Within a Postmodern Context: A Dialogue Among Chauvet, Schmemann and Zizioulas (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/475 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ENCOUNTERING EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE WITHIN A POSTMODERN CONTEXT: A DIALOGUE AMONG CHAUVET, SCHMEMANN AND ZIZIOULAS A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Theology McAnulty College & Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Jason Gary DelVitto May 2013 Copyright by Jason Gary DelVitto 2012 ENCOUNTERING EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE WITHIN A POSTMODERN CONTEXT: A DIALOGUE AMONG CHAUVET, SCHMEMANN AND ZIZIOULAS By Jason Gary DelVitto Approved February 13, 2013 _______________________________ _______________________________ George S Worgul, Ph.D. Fr. Radu Bordeianu, Ph.D. Professor of Theology Associate Professor of Theology (Committee Chair) (Committee Member) _______________________________ Fr. Sebastian Madathummuriyil, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Theology (Committee Member) _______________________________ _______________________________ James C. Swindal, Ph.D. Maureen O‘Brien, Ph.D. Dean, McAnulty College and Chair, Department of Theology Graduate School of Liberal Arts Associate Professor of Theology Professor of Philosophy iii ABSTRACT ENCOUNTERING EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE WITHIN A POSTMODERN CONTEXT: A DIALOGUE AMONG CHAUVET, SCHMEMANN AND ZIZIOULAS By Jason Gary DelVitto May 2013 Dissertation supervised by Professor George Worgul The Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches, as well as other Christian communities, are faced with the challenges of postmodern thought, which calls into question some of the foundational theological and philosophical constructs through which Christianity has articulated the mystery of Eucharistic presence. Louis-Marie Chauvet, Alexander Schmemann and John Zizioulas, the interlocutors presented in this dissertation, recognize that for centuries, Eucharistic theology has been shaped within a metaphysical/Scholastic framework which confines, in many respects, the experiential/relational aspects of the divine/human dynamic as mediated in the Eucharistic celebration. An appeal for a paradigmatic shift is made evident in their respective works based on a renewed understanding of the various strata of the symbolic order and the paradigm of relationality as being the primary contexts within which the people of God celebrate his presence. This shift is necessary in order to correct the iv problematic of a causal, mechanistic, reductionist, overly-metaphysical, dualist framework as well as a static onto-theological construct, to which Eucharistic theology has been subjected to for centuries. There is a call for a re-thinking of Eucharistic presence in light of a theology which is rooted in the mutually supportive principles of lex orandi est lex credendi and of a Patristic theological landscape. The methodology of this dissertation is comparative and dialogical in nature in which each theologian articulates the need for a scholarship of Eucharistic presence to be established on new terrain and a new trajectory which will prove to be more appropriate in expressing the mystery of presence as it is grounded and expressed within the Apostolic faith and practice. By appealing to and implementing the theologies here presented, we can develop a renewed vision of Eucharistic presence that may provide a common ground for an ecumenical enterprise, reaffirming the most essential component of faith: God‘s presence among humanity and in creation. This ecumenical enterprise must not remain within the realm of the abstract or theoretical, but needs to culminate in a true union of the churches born of a common unity in faith and eventual Eucharistic practice. In addition, these three theologians‘ contributions will continue to provide contemporary and future scholars in sacramental theology with an innovative approach to further articulate the mystery of presence through media which speak to the contemporary world while remaining rooted in antiquity. v DEDICATION To my beloved wife Anna, our sons Gregory, Steven, daughter-in-law Shadia and Daniel, who reveal to me how to celebrate life in Godly love and joy vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to offer my deepest and most sincere gratitude to all who have contributed in assisting and guiding me throughout the years in the research and writing of this dissertation. I am most grateful to Dr. George Worgul, my instructor, director and reader of my dissertation, and Dr. William Thompson-Uberuaga, both of whom exhibited unwavering patience and support in my efforts to produce this work and who continue to remain an inspiration to me in all that I do. I would also like my readers, Dr. Radu Bordeianu and Dr. Sebastian Madathummuriyil for their theological expertise, guidance and assistance that they afforded me. Also, I would like to thank all of my past professors at Duquesne University, especially Dr. James P. Hanigan and Dr. Michael Slusser, as well as the staff members of the Theology Department, especially Dr. Maureen O'Brien and Dr. Marie Baird for their assistance as well as Linda L. Rendulic, Assistant to the Dean, McAnulty Graduate School of Liberal Arts. I am particularly grateful to the faculty and staff of St. Vladimir‘s Orthodox Theological Seminary, most especially, to Fr. Alexander Schmemann of blessed memory. Fr. Alexander‘s presence during my years at St. Vladimir‘s, especially within the prayer life as celebrated in the seminary‘s Three Hierarchs Chapel, opened to me and to all at the seminary a new horizon of what it means to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to be thankful for and open to the depth and beauty of what it means to worship God in Spirit vii and in Truth. It is Fr. Alexander‘s work that inspired me to do this dissertation. To his legacy of theology as worship, we are all most thankful. Also, I would like to thank Fr. Thomas Hopko for his continued encouragement and theological expertise which proved most beneficial to me. I am deeply thankful for the support that I received from Dr. John Boojamra of blessed memory, who as my instructor and friend gave his utmost support. My gratitude is extended to Fr. Alexander Atty, Dean Emeritus, St. Tikhon‘s Orthodox Theological Seminary, for his years of sincere friendship, support and encouragement not only within the world of academia but most especially in our shared lives in pastoral work. I am deeply indebted to Mr. Paul Abernathy for his continued support and assistance throughout this endeavor. I am grateful to Fr. John Petro, Fr. Joseph Raptosh, Academic Dean of SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Pittsburgh, whose theological acumen proved most helpful to me throughout the years, as well as the faculty and staff of the seminary whose encouragement is deeply appreciated, most notably Dr. Sandra Collins and Sr. Margaret Ann Andrako. I am also thankful to Fr. George Yatsko who faithfully kept me aware of the importance of theological work and completing my dissertation. I extend my sincere appreciation to Mrs. Ardella Crawford who edited my work with the greatest care and expertise. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION ............................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................... vii CHAPTER ONE: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CONCEPTS OF EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE .......................................................................................... 1 The Mystery of the Eucharistic Presence ................................................................... 4 The Parousaic and Eschatological Dimension of the Eucharistic Presence in Early Christianity.................................................................................................................... 19 The Eucharistic Presence in Scripture and Patristic Literature .................................. 26 Shifts in Understanding Regarding the Eucharist ..................................................... 38 The Impact of the Christological Controversies Regarding the Eucharistic Vision ... 38 The Eucharistic Presence in Medieval Theology ...................................................... 43 Reformation Challenges to Eucharistic Doctrines .................................................... 46 Understanding the Eucharistic Presence in the Post-modern World .......................... 52 The Ecclesial Body: The Remedy for Individualism ................................................ 55 A Patristic Understanding of the Symbol and the World as Sacrament in Chauvet and Schmemann ............................................................................................................