Baptism and Chrismation in the Coptic Tradition (CT9619A)

Content

This unit will provide an overview of the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation, from historical, liturgical and theological perspectives. Students undertaking this unit will learn about these two sacraments in the early church and in the Coptic tradition. A major part of this unit will examine the Coptic understanding of these two Sacraments and present the key elements of Coptic sacramental theology. The unit will consider the theological reflection these developments occasioned, particularly the major theological issues of rebaptism, infant baptism and the meaning of the Baptism. The unit will then investigate the Meaning, the Practice and the rite of Chrismation of the early church and in the Coptic church.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Weekly sessions, comprising guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and opportunities for online collaboration

Indicative Bibliography

• Austin, Gerard. Anointing with the Spirit: The Rite of Confirmation: The Use of Oil and Chrism. New York: Pueblo Publishing Co., 1985.
• Bradshaw, Paul F. The search for the origins of Christian worship : sources and methods for the study of early liturgy. New York : Oxford University Press, 2002
• Chauvet, Louis-Marie. Symbol and Sacrament: A Sacramental Reinterpretation of Christian Existence. Translated by Patrick Madigan and Madeleine Beaumont, Collegeville: Liturgical Press 1995.
• Danielou, Jean, The Bible and the liturgy, S. J. University of Notre Dame press, Indiana 1966.
• Dragas, George Dion. The Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion: The Five Mystagogical Catechisms of St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Orthodox Research Institute. 2008.
• Finn Thomas, Early Christian Baptism and the Catechumenate, Italy, North Africa, and Egypt, in: Message of the fathers of the Church, Vol. 6.
• Limouris, Gennadios, and N. M. Vaporis. Orthodox Perspectives on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry. Brookline, Mass.: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1985.
• McDonnell, Kilian, and George T. Montague. Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from the First Eight Centuries. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1991.
• Maxwell E. Johnson. The rites of Christian initiation: their evolution and interpretation, Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2007.
• ------------. Baptism and chrismation in third- and fourth-century Egypt [electronic resource] : the state of the question, Online access: Available through UD Library Hub.
• Schmemman, Alexander. Of Water and the Spirit: A Liturgical Study of Baptism. St Vladimir's Seminary Press. 1997.
• Spinks, Bryan D. Early and medieval rituals and theologies of baptism: from the New Testament to the Council of Trent, Ashgate Publishing, ©2006
• Stasiak, Kurt. Return to Grace: A Theology for Infant Baptism. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995.
• Turner, Paul. Confirmation: The Baby in Solomon’s Court. New York, Paulist Press, 1993.
• Witczak, Michael G. The Sacrament of Baptism Lex Orandi Series. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2011.
• Wood, Susan K. One Baptism: Ecumenical Dimensions of the Doctrine of Baptism. Collegeville: Michael Glazier, 2009.

Assessment