Liturgy as a Way of Preaching in the Russian Orthodox Church

The paper shows how the Orthodox Church is centred upon the Divine Liturgy, considering it as its most important and powerful means of preaching. A special emphasis is given to the strong presence of God's word in the liturgy and to the position and the understanding of the role of the homily. The aim of liturgical life is to share God's life, which is realized in the most intensive manner by receiving the Eucharist. The Orthodox especially emphasize the preparation for receiving the Eucharist by fasting and confession. In the paper special attention is paid to the historical situation and how the Russian Orthodox Church is conditioned by it as well as to the possibilities and challenges of translating its spiritual richness and tradition into action.