Liturgie Jednoty bratrské (1457–1620) – Landová Tabita (2015)

The book by Tabita Landová provides a comprehensive overview of the basic forms of worship of the Unity of the Brethren in Bohemia and Moravia from its beginnings around 1457 until the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. The author maps the historical development of Brethren liturgy and the primary sources for its study. She outlines its theological assumptions, the structure of the church year, and the typical features of the worship spaces of the old Brethren. She addresses questions regarding how much the Brethren liturgy changed and whether its development can be considered continuous. At the same time, she examines not only its delineation from the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church but also a certain continuity with pre-Reformation tradition. She also notes the later absorption of influences from Czech and European Protestantism. The author focuses primarily on the period of the most intense work on liturgical forms under the leadership of Brethren Bishop Lukáš Pražský in the first third of the 16th century. She analyzes the Brethren service of the Word and the service during the administration of the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation and the confirmation of children, the Lord's Supper, ordination, penance, marriage, and anointing of the sick. In light of new findings, she discusses in detail the protracted dispute over the use of pericopes among Brethren theologians. An appendix presents...