Studying the Armenian Eucharist: the vesting ritual as a case study in methodology

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Shokhikyan, Arman G. (2019) Studying the Armenian Eucharist: the vesting ritual as a case study in methodology. MRes thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This research investigates how the Eucharistic practice of the Armenian tradition can be brought into dialogue with the historical sources and contemporary theology. The originality of this study is that it applies an interpretative vocabulary for the Armenian Eucharist outside of conventional historical-philological and theologically oriented studies. The thesis uses a holistic approach, integrating textual reading, historical theology, and ritual studies to argue that Eucharist is a historical product, a specific ritual system, and a distinctive performative event with its own textual structure that is experienced every Sunday as a lived theology. As methodological tools the thesis applies an interpretative vocabulary of ritual, performance and historical theology for study of the Armenian Eucharist.



The present research is limited to the Armenian Vesting Ritual as a distinct liturgical unit in the larger Eucharistic event. As such, the main focus of the analysis is Vesting Ritual in its historical-textual, performative, and theological dimensions.

In the example of the vesting ritual, the study shows the contrast between the neo-scholastic theology and the actual textual, ritual, and performative approaches towards the Armenian Eucharist. The study argues that the Armenian Eucharist is a product of historical continuity, adaptation, and innovation that has unpacked and unaddressed historical and theological issues.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MRes)
Supervisors: O'Loughlin, T.
Milbank, A.
Keywords: Lord's Supper; Armenian Church, Liturgy; Church vestments
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BX Christian denominations
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of Humanities
Item ID: 59401
Depositing User: Shokhikyan, Arman
Date Deposited: 08 Feb 2021 08:58
Last Modified: 25 Jun 2021 06:28
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/59401

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