How Do Consecrated Objects “Speak”? The Rhetorical Function of Liturgical Objects and Garments in The Eastern Orthodox Church

Abstract

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, liturgical space and liturgical objects, following the Byzantine tradition, occupy a central role. How is this liturgical significance transposed in the bishops and priests` ambon discourse? More specifically: the visible consecrated objects worn or used by the Orthodox Christian clergy while they are preaching -such as a blessing or pectoral cross, a bible, a lighted candle, a bishop`s staff and even the liturgical garments in themselves - are rhetorical? This paper, by reviewing some of the classical and modern rhetorical concepts, reveals that these specific “wearable” liturgical objects are referring mainly to the preacher’s pre-existing ethos, which indicates that he has a prior institutional and moral authority to address the faithful.

Keywords

• christian objects
• pre-existing ethos
• rhetoric
• homilies
• liturgical garments
• religious discourse
• institutional credibility