Forms of worship in the home (Pavel Černý)
Forms of worship in the home are conected with the origin and development of the Church. First of all, Jesus’ disciples met in the Temple and in their homes. Christians also used synagogues, which were spread across the whole Roman Empire. Further advancement brought an emphasis on the development of worship in the home which is preserved in the record called Didaché, and later on, “daily prayer of the Church” - “liturgia horarum” which provides proff of the importance that was placed on family devotions along with continual prayer. Some forms of daily prayer were developed in monastic communities and other came to life in the homes of the laity. Practically every period of Church renewal was connected with new emphases on liturgy in the home. We can follow that development in both the Czech and worldwide reformation and in other streams of renewal. Worship in the home had the advantage of acessibility for entire families since it was not dependent on the presence of an ordained minister, and it introduced knowledge of the Scriptures and an active life of prayer. This article looks at the topic of worship in the home (family devotions) from an ecumenical perspective today. What is the problem and what can become an isnpiration for renewal of liturgy in the home?
This article was published (in Czech) in Theologia vitae, 2/2017, p. 195-215.