The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology
This article is dedicated to the memory of Robert Francis Taft, who was an outstanding 20th century liturgist. It analyzes the main milestones in Taft’s life, as well as his scholarly formation. Given that Taft was a practicing liturgist, rather than a desk researcher, from times dating back to his...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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St. Philaret’s Christian Orthodox Institute
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Вестник Свято-Филаретовского института |
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| Online Access: | https://psmb-neos-resources.hb.bizmrg.com/target/sfi/2416795b02b05cab1d8e5e5757069f9a38cea0c6/%D0%92%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%A1%D0%A4%D0%98_40Print-121-143.pdf |
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| author | Fr. Edward Farrudgia |
| author_facet | Fr. Edward Farrudgia |
| author_sort | Fr. Edward Farrudgia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article is dedicated to the memory of Robert Francis Taft, who was an outstanding 20th century liturgist. It analyzes the main milestones in Taft’s life, as well as his scholarly formation. Given that Taft was a practicing liturgist, rather than a desk researcher, from times dating back to his student years, the author concludes that this is the primary factor which determined Taft’s methodology for liturgical research. Taft’s approach to the study of liturgy involves not only entering into the Church’s experience of prayer as preserved by the tradition, but also the consideration of various socio-cultural aspects in the life of liturgical texts; here he was motivated by a desire to explore the impact of liturgy on people’s everyday lives. Taft’s approach to the study of worship was based on personal knowledge and free from ultimate conclusions. At the same time, Taft studied historical sources meticulously, so as to put them into their proper historical context and take proper account of subsequent events. Taft applies Anton Baumstark’s comparative liturgical method in his research, developing it through the examination of liturgical structures. One of Taft’s most influential teachers was Juan Mateos, who proved the importance of A. Baumstark’s comparative method through his study of cathedral and monastic worship. With the works of his pupils Archimandrite Robert Taft, Fr. Miguel Arranz and others, Mateos was able to lay down new foundations for the use of Baumstark’s comparative method. Archimandrite Taft continued the research of J. Mateos in several directions simultaneously, making a significant contribution to the study of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. In addition to Robert Taft’s main lines of research, this article touches on various topics beyond his historical and liturgical studies, including his works in the fields of practical ecclesiology, problems in ecumenism, issues of unity, and proselytism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T11:11:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0245c8438993454f91530632b625eb54 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2658-7599 2713-3141 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T11:11:42Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | St. Philaret’s Christian Orthodox Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Вестник Свято-Филаретовского института |
| spelling | doaj.art-0245c8438993454f91530632b625eb542022-12-21T19:42:44ZengSt. Philaret’s Christian Orthodox InstituteВестник Свято-Филаретовского института2658-75992713-31412021-11-014012114310.25803/26587599_2021_40_121The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his MethodologyFr. Edward Farrudgia0Farrudgia, S. J., D. Sci (Theology), Pontifical Oriental Institute, RomeThis article is dedicated to the memory of Robert Francis Taft, who was an outstanding 20th century liturgist. It analyzes the main milestones in Taft’s life, as well as his scholarly formation. Given that Taft was a practicing liturgist, rather than a desk researcher, from times dating back to his student years, the author concludes that this is the primary factor which determined Taft’s methodology for liturgical research. Taft’s approach to the study of liturgy involves not only entering into the Church’s experience of prayer as preserved by the tradition, but also the consideration of various socio-cultural aspects in the life of liturgical texts; here he was motivated by a desire to explore the impact of liturgy on people’s everyday lives. Taft’s approach to the study of worship was based on personal knowledge and free from ultimate conclusions. At the same time, Taft studied historical sources meticulously, so as to put them into their proper historical context and take proper account of subsequent events. Taft applies Anton Baumstark’s comparative liturgical method in his research, developing it through the examination of liturgical structures. One of Taft’s most influential teachers was Juan Mateos, who proved the importance of A. Baumstark’s comparative method through his study of cathedral and monastic worship. With the works of his pupils Archimandrite Robert Taft, Fr. Miguel Arranz and others, Mateos was able to lay down new foundations for the use of Baumstark’s comparative method. Archimandrite Taft continued the research of J. Mateos in several directions simultaneously, making a significant contribution to the study of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. In addition to Robert Taft’s main lines of research, this article touches on various topics beyond his historical and liturgical studies, including his works in the fields of practical ecclesiology, problems in ecumenism, issues of unity, and proselytism.https://psmb-neos-resources.hb.bizmrg.com/target/sfi/2416795b02b05cab1d8e5e5757069f9a38cea0c6/%D0%92%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%A1%D0%A4%D0%98_40Print-121-143.pdftheologyliturgicshistory of worshipliturgy of st. john chrysostomrobert francis taftsociety of jesusjesuitspontifical oriental instituteeastern christian worshipтеологиялитургикаистория богослужениялитургия св. иоанна златоустаархим. роберт фрэнсис тафтобщество иисусаиезуитыпапский восточный институт |
| spellingShingle | Fr. Edward Farrudgia The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology Вестник Свято-Филаретовского института theology liturgics history of worship liturgy of st. john chrysostom robert francis taft society of jesus jesuits pontifical oriental institute eastern christian worship теология литургика история богослужения литургия св. иоанна златоуста архим. роберт фрэнсис тафт общество иисуса иезуиты папский восточный институт |
| title | The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology |
| title_full | The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology |
| title_fullStr | The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology |
| title_short | The Scholarly Legacy of Archimandrite Robert Francis Taft, S. J. (9.01.1932–2.11.2018): Reflections on his Methodology |
| title_sort | scholarly legacy of archimandrite robert francis taft s j 9 01 1932 2 11 2018 reflections on his methodology |
| topic | theology liturgics history of worship liturgy of st. john chrysostom robert francis taft society of jesus jesuits pontifical oriental institute eastern christian worship теология литургика история богослужения литургия св. иоанна златоуста архим. роберт фрэнсис тафт общество иисуса иезуиты папский восточный институт |
| url | https://psmb-neos-resources.hb.bizmrg.com/target/sfi/2416795b02b05cab1d8e5e5757069f9a38cea0c6/%D0%92%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%A1%D0%A4%D0%98_40Print-121-143.pdf |
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