Theology and Architecture of the Liturgical Space

(2 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The Christian liturgical space constitutes an element of mediation of the sacramental economy. It is visibly defined starting from a collection of symbolic elements: the Christian community, a temple of living stones, with its dynamic and ritual action; the architectural environment that hosts the assembly; and the material elements involved in the celebration (celebratory places and furnishings). This triad will the object of study during the course, examined from anthropological-religious, biblical, art-historical, and ritual points of view. The theological reflection will always be accompanied by an art-historical perspective. Particular attention will be given to the investigation of the theological constants of Christian architecture throughout history, as well as to the ritual space according to the Roman liturgy of today.