THE RULER AS A SERVANT OF THE ALTAR: LITURGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE REIGN OF STEPHEN THE GREAT
THE RULER AS A SERVANT OF THE ALTAR: LITURGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE REIGN OF STEPHEN THE GREAT
Author(s): Stefan Iulian ApopeiSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Church(es), Theology and Religion, Comparative Studies of Religion, Religion and science , Biblical studies, Eastern Orthodoxy, Other Christian Denominations, Sociology of Religion, History of Religion, Psychology of Religion
Published by: Editura Arhipelag XXI
Keywords: rulership; liturgy; service; symbolism; authority
Summary/Abstract: This study examines the reign of Stephen the Great through a liturgical interpretative lens, proposing an understanding of political authority as a form of ecclesial service. Focusing on ritual acts, symbolic gestures, and commemorative practices—such as anointing, church foundations, votive imagery, and liturgical remembrance—the article argues that Stephen’s rule was articulated within a framework of service, humility, and accountability before God. These liturgical dimensions shaped both the exercise and the representation of power, integrating warfare, repentance, and victory into a coherent ecclesial narrative. By highlighting the convergence of rulership and liturgical participation, the article situates Stephen the Great as a ruler whose authority is constructed and interpreted through proximity to the altar and the ritual life of the Church.
Journal: Journal of Romanian Literary Studies
- Issue Year: 2026
- Issue No: 44
- Page Range: 1473-1484
- Page Count: 12
- Language: Romanian
